Longtime Priest Dies at Age 79 

Reverend Paul Francis Mollan died in his home at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Nov. 9.

Father Mollan was born on March 12, 1927, in Chicago.  He attended Saint Ignatius High School, Loyola University Chicago, Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary (Cardinal Glennon College) and Saint Thomas Seminary in Denver.  He served in the Navy during World War II.

He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 1, 1954, in Dubuque, Iowa. Afterward, Father Mollan served at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kingfisher (1954-1959). He then served as pastor of Saint Barbara Church (now Holy Family) in Lawton (1959-1967), Saint Eugene Church in Oklahoma City (1967-1975), Saint Joseph Church in Ada (1975-1978), Saint Mary Church in  Ardmore (1978-1985), Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Del City (1985-1994) and Holy Trinity in Okarche (1994-1995).  

In 1995, Father Mollan was assigned to assist at the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord in Oklahoma City.  He was also appointed chaplain at Deaconess and Baptist hospitals in  Oklahoma City. He was well known for a lifetime of adult Catholic education programs and gave seminars throughout the state of Oklahoma.

  Father Mollan was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert E. and Laura McMullen Mollan.

He is survived by his brothers, Herbert E. Mollan of Rockford, Ill., and Reverend Ralph Mollan of Lemont, Ill.; his sister, Sister Margaret Mollan, BVM, of Dubuque; and his nephew Terry Mollan.  

Father Mollan leaves behind a host of devoted parishioners and former parishioners, friends and his brother priests.  

A Vigil for the Deceased was held  Nov. 12 at the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord in Oklahoma City. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 13 at Church of the Epiphany with interment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord in Father Mollan’s name.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ford Funeral Service of Del City.