Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley has announced that he has granted the request of Father Terence P. Curley to be given senior priest/retirement status; the effective date of will be July 1, 2010. Although he is only 65 years old, continuing health concerns led the cardinal to grant Father Curley's request.

Born in Lynn on Aug. 8, 1944, Father Curley was raised in Swampscott's St. John the Evangelist Parish. He completed seminary studies at St. John, Brighton and Archbishop Humberto Medeiros ordained him to the priesthood on May 20, 1972 at Holy Cross Cathedral.

Between ordination and a sick leave in 1975 he served as either an assistant or an associate in St. Zepherin Parish, Wayland, Sacred Heart Parish, Lynn and Most Holy Redeemer Parish, East Boston. He returned to East Boston until he was named associate at St. John the Evangelist (French) parish in Newton. In 1982 he was named associate at St. Mary Star of the Sea, East Boston and in 1983 to a similar position at Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Parish, Melrose. Between 1987 and 1993 he was an associate at Immaculate Conception Parish, Salem and Our Lady of Grace Parish, Chelsea.

On Aug. 17 1993, Bernard Cardinal Law named him pastor of St. Susanna parish, Dedham and on Nov. 26, 2001 he named him pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, Nahant. His health concerns led to his requesting a health leave and retirement from the Nahant parish on Oct. 26, 2009. In the fall of 1998 he completed a priestly renewal program in the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College at Rome.

Father Curley was busy, not only in parish ministry but also as an accomplished and widely published author. His special interest and focus of his writings is bereavement and grief counseling. In addition to articles in "Priest' and "Pastoral Life" magazines, his books include "The Ministry of Consolation" and "Console One Another" -- both are pastoral guides and planners for those suffering loss, dealing with death, and preparing the various rites associated with Christian funerals.

Although he will be "retired", Father Curley will be assisting, as he is able, in parishes and in helping those in grief with his counsel and ministry of consolation.