Michael Joseph Begley

Michael Joseph Begley (March 12, 1909 – February 9, 2002) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

[4] He earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina in 1949, and was named a domestic prelate by the Vatican in 1954.

[3] He received his episcopal consecration on January 12, 1972, from Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, with Bishops Vincent Waters and George Lynch serving as co-consecrators.

[2] Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Begley submitted his letter of resignation to Pope John Paul II in March 1984.

[4] A supporter of capital punishment, Begley endorsed the 1984 execution of serial killer Velma Barfield, noting, "The state has a right to decide on the death penalty and this is one instance when they chose that right.