Monsignor James F. Halpine, rector emeritus of Holy Family Cathedral, was found dead Friday in his room at the church's rectory. He was 84.

Halpine was one of the founders and pillars of a longtime downtown clergy association. Two other key ministers in that group have died this year: The Rev. Warren Hultgren of First Baptist Church died Sunday, and the Rev. William Wiseman of First Presbyterian Church died July 13.

Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa said Halpine was his hero and also a hero to many priests, ministers and rabbis.  "He simply loved everybody, and he took up, before most other people, the banner of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue. We've all learned from him," Slattery said.

Over the years, Halpine received several honors from the interfaith community in Tulsa.  "He was a great fellow," said the Rev. Mouzon Biggs, who met Halpine right after Biggs moved to Tulsa 30 years ago to lead the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.  "He was very committed to Roman Catholic Christianity, but he also gave great time and energy to interfaith dialogue," Biggs said.

Halpine was born Oct. 30, 1926, to John Arthur and Katherine Heverly Halpine in Findlay, Ohio.   Before his first birthday, the family moved to the downtown Tulsa area, where Halpine grew up just blocks from Holy Family, a church he later served for 21 years.  He was ordained Dec. 20, 1952, and has served churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Chandler, Stillwater and Pryor.   He also was an assistant national chaplain in the 1960s to the Young Catholic Students, Young Catholic Workers and the Christian Family Movement in Chicago.

Halpine was the pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Tulsa from 1968 until 1976 and served at Holy Family from 1976 until his retirement in 1997.  He was named monsignor in 1996.  He was a moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women until 2005.   Although his health was failing, he continued to celebrate Mass and hear confessions until three weeks ago.

Visitation is at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, Tuesday, November 23,2010 9 a.m until 3 p.m. Rosary is 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 Noon, Wednesday, both at Holy Family Cathedral. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altar Circle in the Priest Section.