Msgr. Michael Thornton

Msgr. Michael Thornton, retired priest from the Diocese of Biloxi, age 77, of Biloxi, passed away on July 26, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nora Thornton; and a grand-niece, Cairín.

He was much loved and deeply regretted by his siblings, May (Frank), Frank (Evelyn), Padraic (Catherine), Kathleen, and Noel (Josephine); many nieces and nephews and their spouses and partners, grand nieces and grand nephews, and all extended family, neighbors and friends.  Michael is also deeply regretted by Bishop Louis Kihneman, fellow priests and friends in the Diocese of Biloxi and Diocese of Jackson, and a wide range of colleagues and friends in the United States, Mexico, and Ireland.

Msgr. Thornton was a native of Headford, County Galway, Ireland and he attended St. Patrick Seminary in Carlow, Ireland where he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson on June 7, 1969.  He has served as an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Biloxi and Jackson Dioceses’ mission in Saltillo, Mexico, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Laurel, St. Bernadette Parish in Waynesboro, Holy Trinity Mission in Leakesville, and he retired to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi.  He was also administrator of St. Louis Parish in Biloxi and served as the diocesan Chancellor, Judicial Vicar and Tribunal, as well as a tribunal judge and member of the presbyterial council. 

Visitation will be on Monday, July 31, 2023, from 10 – 11 am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church with Bishop Louis Kihneman as the principal celebrant. 

Msgr. Thornton will be buried in Cloughanover Cemetery in Headford, County Galway, Ireland.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com