who was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and served in the Bolivian missions for nearly 50 years, died July 27. He was 87 years old.
Morgan A. Casey was born in Portageville, Missouri, on June 23, 1935 to Anthony and Margaret (Pinkley) Casey. He grew up in Potosi and attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary. Cardinal Joseph Ritter ordained him to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis on April 7, 1962, at the Saint Louis Cathedral.
Beloved son of the late Anthony and Margaret Casey; dear brother of Tony (Mary Ruth) Casey and the late Deacon James Faherty (survived by Maxine) Casey; our dearest uncle, great-uncle, cousin, friend and Brother in Priestly Life.
Following ordination, Bishop Casey served three years as assistant pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brentwood. In 1965, he accepted an assignment to the archdiocesan missions in Bolivia.
In 1983, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of La Paz and his episcopal ordination took place on Jan. 28, 1984, in Viacha, Bolivia. He was known by the people there as “Bishop Luis.” He became the second St. Louis priest to be chosen for the episcopacy in Bolivia, following Bishop Andrew B. Schierhoff, one of the three priests sent initially to Bolivia in 1956 as part of an archdiocesan-sponsored mission.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop Casey was vicar for one of three zones in the La Paz Archdiocese. He served as episcopal moderator of the Catholic daily newspaper, La Presencia, and continued to work with the major seminary that he and other St. Louis priests founded to train Aymaran Indian youths for the priesthood. During his priestly ministry in Viacha, he was responsible for the opening a 40-bed community hospital.
Besides affirming the work of religious sisters and priests ministering in the area — including the Maryknollers and Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon — Bishop Casey said he wanted to “work for a pastoral plan in which all of us are going in the same direction and working toward the same end.”
In 1988, Bishop Casey was appointed head of the Vicariate of the Pando, moving from La Paz into the warm, tropical jungles of Riberalta, a mission territory in northwestern Bolivia at the headwaters of the Amazon basin. He served in that area until his retirement in 2013, returning to St. Louis. He most recently had resided at Mother of Good Counsel Home.
Cardinal Raymond L. Burke once wrote that from the time he entered the missions, Bishop Casey has served “with the zeal of St. Paul. Our archdiocese has a strong bond with Bishop Casey. It is a great honor for the archdiocese to have a native son serving as a successor to the apostles in the missions.”
Parishioners at St. Mary Magdalen in Brentwood kept strong ties to Bishop Casey, remembering him from his work with the CYC there, and faithfully supported his mission work.
Several times a year, Bishop Casey would journey into the jungle aboard a small boat to bring the sacraments and Jesus’ message of hope and love to the people. In a 2019 interview on the Synod of Bishops of the Amazon, Bishop Casey spoke of the difficulty of providing sacraments to the people of the vast region of South America with so few priests. “There were communities that we got to once a year, and it just took great effort to get to them,” he said. “Just to be able to have someone there to make the Eucharist available would be a tremendous boon to a Christian community.”
Bishop Casey also said that the Amazon region is “being exploited irrationally through the mining industry, through clearing land for grazing, soybeans and timber. Fires that were started, for example, in Bolivia now were started because people were clearing land and they got it out of control. That’s why a huge swatch of the Amazon forest in Bolivia was completely destroyed.”
Bishop Casey emphasized that “we need to be more aware of the fact that this is our common home, this is our world, and we’ve got to take care of it.”
Services: Visitation at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church (2618 Brentwood Blvd. 63144) On Friday, August 5 from 7:00-9:00 pm. and on Saturday, August 6 from 10:00 am. until time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Interment will be held in private. In lieu of flowers contributions to Mother of Good Counsel Home, 6825 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO. 63121 appreciated.
Dear friend Morgan. We will miss you and thank God for you and all the wonderful work you did during your life. We will also remember all the trips we made with you and Fr. Ted We have such great memories of visiting you in Bolivia and Riberalta and our vacation to Alaska and Rio. Such fond memories. God speed and we love you
Dear friend Morgan. We will miss you and thank God for you and all the wonderful work you did during your life. We will also remember all the trips we made with you and Fr. Ted We have such great memories of visiting you in Bolivia and Riberalta and our vacation to Alaska and Rio. Such fond memories. God speed and we love you
Our prayers are with the family and our gratitude to the Bishop for his friendship to our parents and family.
May God bless Tony and Mary and the family at this season of life.
Our prayers are with the family and our gratitude to the Bishop for his friendship to our parents and family.
May God bless Tony and Mary and the family at this season of life.
Condolences to Tony,Mary Ruth,Maxine,and other family members of Bishop MorganCasey. He will be missed.
Condolences to Tony,Mary Ruth,Maxine,and other family members of Bishop MorganCasey. He will be missed.
Saw Bishop Casey at his friend, Padre Roberto Menner’s funeral. Always a gentleman, always passionate for the mission in Bolivia, always a pleasure to be around. A great loss for us, but a great addition to the hereafter.
Saw Bishop Casey at his friend, Padre Roberto Menner’s funeral. Always a gentleman, always passionate for the mission in Bolivia, always a pleasure to be around. A great loss for us, but a great addition to the hereafter.
Dear our special friend, Bishop Casey,
We will always cherish our special memories we have with you. Your attendance at our 50th Anniversary party 4years ago was indeed a very special event in our life. We pray you rest in eternal peace with God always. You will be missed a lot by everyone who love you. ❤️❤️❤️
Dear our special friend, Bishop Casey,
We will always cherish our special memories we have with you. Your attendance at our 50th Anniversary party 4years ago was indeed a very special event in our life. We pray you rest in eternal peace with God always. You will be missed a lot by everyone who love you. ❤️❤️❤️
Loving sympathy to all the members of the Casey and Pinkley Families. How blessed I was to have Morgan as a good friend since our days at St. Mary Magdalen Parish and able to attend his Episcopal Ordination in Viacha, Bolivia!
Peace,
S. Dolores Shortal, O.P. (aka S. Marian Joseph) – now in Sparkill, N.Y.
Loving sympathy to all the members of the Casey and Pinkley Families. How blessed I was to have Morgan as a good friend since our days at St. Mary Magdalen Parish and able to attend his Episcopal Ordination in Viacha, Bolivia!
Peace,
S. Dolores Shortal, O.P. (aka S. Marian Joseph) – now in Sparkill, N.Y.
My loving sympathy to all the members of the Casey- Pinkley families and the priests of St. Louis and Bolivia at the death of Bishop Casey. His love for Christ and the poor was a powerful witness.
Peace,
S. Dolores Shortal.O.P.
My loving sympathy to all the members of the Casey- Pinkley families and the priests of St. Louis and Bolivia at the death of Bishop Casey. His love for Christ and the poor was a powerful witness.
Peace,
S. Dolores Shortal.O.P.
Dear wonderful friends Tony and Mary,
Your wonderful brother and you two have been such a blessing to our family, our community and our Church.
I only hope that St Peter has the proper liquid supplies on hand to keep your brother and my dad satisfied.
Our lives have been so enhanced through your family and please know that our prayers and heartfelt thanks will always be with you.
Our love,
Cindy and Steve Ott
Dear wonderful friends Tony and Mary,
Your wonderful brother and you two have been such a blessing to our family, our community and our Church.
I only hope that St Peter has the proper liquid supplies on hand to keep your brother and my dad satisfied.
Our lives have been so enhanced through your family and please know that our prayers and heartfelt thanks will always be with you.
Our love,
Cindy and Steve Ott
Muy apreciado y querido en la Selva Amazónica de Bolivia
una gran perdida, siempre lo recordaremos por su entrega generosa en la misión pastoral realizado en nuestra jurisdicción con gran pasión y dedicación, siempre preocupado por llegar a las comunidades.
saludos desde Riberalta
Muy apreciado y querido en la Selva Amazónica de Bolivia
una gran perdida, siempre lo recordaremos por su entrega generosa en la misión pastoral realizado en nuestra jurisdicción con gran pasión y dedicación, siempre preocupado por llegar a las comunidades.
saludos desde Riberalta
Querido Monseñor Luis. Doy gracias a Dios por los años de vida que te regaló. Tu ejemplo y testimonios nos acompañaran siempre,fuiste un gran pastor, sacerdote, hermano y amigo. Siempre pendiente de los más necesitados. Viviremos totalmente agradecidos contigo. Desde la morada santa intercede por nosotros. Descansa en paz querido Monseñor Luis.
Querido Monseñor Luis. Doy gracias a Dios por los años de vida que te regaló. Tu ejemplo y testimonios nos acompañaran siempre,fuiste un gran pastor, sacerdote, hermano y amigo. Siempre pendiente de los más necesitados. Viviremos totalmente agradecidos contigo. Desde la morada santa intercede por nosotros. Descansa en paz querido Monseñor Luis.
Nos adherimos al dolor que embarga a la Familia de Mons. Luis Morgan Casey, pues sentiremos mucho su ausencia , el también hizo mucho por las personas con discapacidad de Riberalta especialmente por que tengan accesos a servicios como los que se brindan en el Centro Nuevos Horizontes, además que fuimos bendecidos con su amistad y cariño .Rogamos al Padre amado lo tenga a su lado intercediendo por quienes el amaba
Nos adherimos al dolor que embarga a la Familia de Mons. Luis Morgan Casey, pues sentiremos mucho su ausencia , el también hizo mucho por las personas con discapacidad de Riberalta especialmente por que tengan accesos a servicios como los que se brindan en el Centro Nuevos Horizontes, además que fuimos bendecidos con su amistad y cariño .Rogamos al Padre amado lo tenga a su lado intercediendo por quienes el amaba
Mis más sentidas condolencias a la Familia Casey, por la perdida de un hermano, tío y sobre todo un Buen Pastor y amigo: que Dios reciba a Mons. Luis en santo reino para que un día no muy lejano podamos encontrarnos con el en la casa del Padre celestial. Descansa en paz querido P. Luis M.
Mis más sentidas condolencias a la Familia Casey, por la perdida de un hermano, tío y sobre todo un Buen Pastor y amigo: que Dios reciba a Mons. Luis en santo reino para que un día no muy lejano podamos encontrarnos con el en la casa del Padre celestial. Descansa en paz querido P. Luis M.
Mis sinceras condolencias a la Familia del Monseñor Luis Morgan Casey, mi querido amigo, inolvidable ser humano, Caritativo, humanitario, Solidario.
Muy querido amigo, Monseñor Luis. Está gozando del Reino Eterno y estoy segura que desde allá sigue enviando Bendiciones para todos nosotros Doy Gracias a Dios por haberme permitido conocer al Monseñor y contar con su linda Amistad
Mis sinceras condolencias a la Familia del Monseñor Luis Morgan Casey, mi querido amigo, inolvidable ser humano, Caritativo, humanitario, Solidario.
Muy querido amigo, Monseñor Luis. Está gozando del Reino Eterno y estoy segura que desde allá sigue enviando Bendiciones para todos nosotros Doy Gracias a Dios por haberme permitido conocer al Monseñor y contar con su linda Amistad
Querido Monseñor Luis. Damos gracias a Dios por haberte conocido, sin lugar a dudas fuiste un gran pastor, hermano pero sobre todo un excelente amigo. Mil Gracias por regalarnos tu vida y sobre todo tu amistad. Descansa en paz querido Monseñor Luis. con todo el Cariño, la Familia Guary Pinto desde Riberalta, Beni, Bolivia.
Querido Monseñor Luis. Damos gracias a Dios por haberte conocido, sin lugar a dudas fuiste un gran pastor, hermano pero sobre todo un excelente amigo. Mil Gracias por regalarnos tu vida y sobre todo tu amistad. Descansa en paz querido Monseñor Luis. con todo el Cariño, la Familia Guary Pinto desde Riberalta, Beni, Bolivia.
Siempre estaremos unidos en la oración y en la alegría de haber conocido un gran pastor…
Siempre estaremos unidos en la oración y en la alegría de haber conocido un gran pastor…
Mis más sentidas condolencias a toda la familia Casey Pinkley por estos momentos de tristeza. Querido Mons. Luis, agradeceré por siempre a Dios por el privilegio que me dio de haberlo conocido y trabajar en su equipo para nuestro Vicariato de Pando, por sus oraciones y su gran amistad con nosotros. Que el Dios de la vida lo tenga en su Santo Reino. Descansa en paz.
Riberalta – Bolivia
Mis más sentidas condolencias a toda la familia Casey Pinkley por estos momentos de tristeza. Querido Mons. Luis, agradeceré por siempre a Dios por el privilegio que me dio de haberlo conocido y trabajar en su equipo para nuestro Vicariato de Pando, por sus oraciones y su gran amistad con nosotros. Que el Dios de la vida lo tenga en su Santo Reino. Descansa en paz.
Riberalta – Bolivia
Mis más sentidas condolencias a la Familia Casey.
Doy gracias a Dios por haber conocido a un ser humano caritativo y solidario, como fue Mons. Luis.
Que Nuestro Señor Jesucristo le tome en cuenta todo el bien que hizo y le regale el descanso eterno.
Descansa en paz, querido y estimado Mons. Luis!!!
Mis más sentidas condolencias a la Familia Casey.
Doy gracias a Dios por haber conocido a un ser humano caritativo y solidario, como fue Mons. Luis.
Que Nuestro Señor Jesucristo le tome en cuenta todo el bien que hizo y le regale el descanso eterno.
Descansa en paz, querido y estimado Mons. Luis!!!
Mons. Luis was always an important reference person for the volunteers from Denkendorf/Germany during their volunteer service at Centro Nuevos Horizontes. He also supported the sending of reverse volunteers from Riberalta to Denkendorf and will remain unforgotten in the Catholic parish of St. Johann Baptist as a fighter for the disabled children and for their integration into society.
Grateful for the trusting and cordial cooperation
in silent remembrance of (I.E.) Mons. Luis Morgan Casey, catholic parish St. Johann Baptist, Denkendorf/Germany, Grupo MDUM
En memoria a (I.E.) Mons. Luis Morgan Casey, parroquia catolica San Juan Bautista, Denkendorf, Alemania, Grupo MDUM
Mons. Luis was always an important reference person for the volunteers from Denkendorf/Germany during their volunteer service at Centro Nuevos Horizontes. He also supported the sending of reverse volunteers from Riberalta to Denkendorf and will remain unforgotten in the Catholic parish of St. Johann Baptist as a fighter for the disabled children and for their integration into society.
Grateful for the trusting and cordial cooperation
in silent remembrance of (I.E.) Mons. Luis Morgan Casey, catholic parish St. Johann Baptist, Denkendorf/Germany, Grupo MDUM
En memoria a (I.E.) Mons. Luis Morgan Casey, parroquia catolica San Juan Bautista, Denkendorf, Alemania, Grupo MDUM
Mis Condolencias Familia Casey.
Mons. Luis fue un gran servidor de Dios. Le doy grasias a Dios por el privilegio de haberle conosido. Me llevo muchas de sus palabras y sus consejos en mi corazon. Descanse en Paz ✨
Mis Condolencias Familia Casey.
Mons. Luis fue un gran servidor de Dios. Le doy grasias a Dios por el privilegio de haberle conosido. Me llevo muchas de sus palabras y sus consejos en mi corazon. Descanse en Paz ✨
Mis Sentidos Pesame a Toda la Familia Morgan Casey por la partida a la casa de Dios de Nuestro Monseñor Luis. Un gran hombre para nuestro Vicariato de Pando, quien unió, y fortalecio muchas familias, por su bondad, su desprendimiento con todos. Siempre estará Presente Monseñor Luis en el corazón de mi familias: Dury Suarez y Suarez Parada. Siempre y por siempre recordado Buen Hombre.
Desde Cobija Pando Javier Raul Dury Pedraza y Maira Odáliz Suarez Parada y Familia.
Mis Sentidos Pesame a Toda la Familia Morgan Casey por la partida a la casa de Dios de Nuestro Monseñor Luis. Un gran hombre para nuestro Vicariato de Pando, quien unió, y fortalecio muchas familias, por su bondad, su desprendimiento con todos. Siempre estará Presente Monseñor Luis en el corazón de mi familias: Dury Suarez y Suarez Parada. Siempre y por siempre recordado Buen Hombre.
Desde Cobija Pando Javier Raul Dury Pedraza y Maira Odáliz Suarez Parada y Familia.
Condolences to the family and friends of Bishop Morgan Casey. I had known him since 1959 as I was a little boy when he was a houseparent at St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf in University City before he headed for Kenrick Seminary. We children knew him as Mr. Casey, and he was a lot of fun to be around. He was a loving and gentle young fellow who enjoyed his time with the children at the boarding school. Bishop Casey will always be in my heart as he went to be with the Lord.
Condolences to the family and friends of Bishop Morgan Casey. I had known him since 1959 as I was a little boy when he was a houseparent at St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf in University City before he headed for Kenrick Seminary. We children knew him as Mr. Casey, and he was a lot of fun to be around. He was a loving and gentle young fellow who enjoyed his time with the children at the boarding school. Bishop Casey will always be in my heart as he went to be with the Lord.
On behalf of Stichting Amazone Kinderen in The Netherlands, I hereby offer our sympathy and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mons. Luis Morgan Casey. By his letters and his visits to The Netherlands, Bishop Casey became a friend and inspiration for thousands of men and women, young and old, in our country. We are grateful for his love and genuine attention to all of us. We will honor his memory by continuing our support to medical and educational aid projects for the most needy people in Northern Bolivia.
Monniek Leendertse, director
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
On behalf of Stichting Amazone Kinderen in The Netherlands, I hereby offer our sympathy and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mons. Luis Morgan Casey. By his letters and his visits to The Netherlands, Bishop Casey became a friend and inspiration for thousands of men and women, young and old, in our country. We are grateful for his love and genuine attention to all of us. We will honor his memory by continuing our support to medical and educational aid projects for the most needy people in Northern Bolivia.
Monniek Leendertse, director
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Our sincere condolences to the entire Casey family and the entire faith community impacted by the words and deeds of Bishop Casey.
Our sincere condolences to the entire Casey family and the entire faith community impacted by the words and deeds of Bishop Casey.
Sending my condolences to the Caseys. I spent a summer in 1994 in Bolivia and Bishop Casey let me stay at his house. Morgan was a great priest, a great person, a great friend. He touched so many lives and made so many people smile. A very caring man that really made a difference in the world and in the lives of thousands. He was a teacher and a counselor. He was very personable and listened. If you needed him, he was there.
He did so much good in his life. We stayed in touch for all of these years, and I will never forget his laugh and his kindness. I will miss my friend.
Sending my condolences to the Caseys. I spent a summer in 1994 in Bolivia and Bishop Casey let me stay at his house. Morgan was a great priest, a great person, a great friend. He touched so many lives and made so many people smile. A very caring man that really made a difference in the world and in the lives of thousands. He was a teacher and a counselor. He was very personable and listened. If you needed him, he was there.
He did so much good in his life. We stayed in touch for all of these years, and I will never forget his laugh and his kindness. I will miss my friend.
Querido Mons Luis Morgan Casey, doy gracias a Dios por el privilegio de haberlo conocido y compartido muchas aventuras juntos, me llevo muchas de sus palabras cariño y admiración como pastor de nuestro vicariato gracias por las bondades que tenías con los más necesitados y por muchas de tus obras que realizaste para el bien de todos nosotros su desprendimiento con tu pueblo. Siempre estará Presente Monseñor Luis en mi corazón de mi familias: Siempre y por siempre. Que el Dios de la vida lo tenga en su Santo Reino. Descansa en paz. Mons Luis
Riberalta – Bolivia
Querido Mons Luis Morgan Casey, doy gracias a Dios por el privilegio de haberlo conocido y compartido muchas aventuras juntos, me llevo muchas de sus palabras cariño y admiración como pastor de nuestro vicariato gracias por las bondades que tenías con los más necesitados y por muchas de tus obras que realizaste para el bien de todos nosotros su desprendimiento con tu pueblo. Siempre estará Presente Monseñor Luis en mi corazón de mi familias: Siempre y por siempre. Que el Dios de la vida lo tenga en su Santo Reino. Descansa en paz. Mons Luis
Riberalta – Bolivia
Bishop casey. All of st Louis will miss you. I knew him at st. Mary Magdalene all those years ago. He was what a priest should be
Bishop casey. All of st Louis will miss you. I knew him at st. Mary Magdalene all those years ago. He was what a priest should be
My Mom & Dad had (then) Fr. Casey out to dinner at their house in Manchester shortly before he left for Bolivia. My Dad and Fr Casey were cousins and grew up together. I remember Fr. Casey taught me how to whistle then. I remember how happy he was. He made such an impression on me as a 5-year old little girl that I never forgot about him and prayed for him throughout my life. Thank you for your kindness and love Morgan.
Patricia Higginbotham Hermelink
My Mom & Dad had (then) Fr. Casey out to dinner at their house in Manchester shortly before he left for Bolivia. My Dad and Fr Casey were cousins and grew up together. I remember Fr. Casey taught me how to whistle then. I remember how happy he was. He made such an impression on me as a 5-year old little girl that I never forgot about him and prayed for him throughout my life. Thank you for your kindness and love Morgan.
Patricia Higginbotham Hermelink