Death of Monsignor Richard Hughes of the Archdiocese of Washington

In a letter sent to priests Cardinal Wuerl today announced "with sorrow" the death of Reverend Monsignor Richard A. Hughes on March 6, 2017. He was 88 years old and a resident of Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Monsignor Hughes was born on October 10, 1928 in Washington DC. His seminary studies were at St. Charles college, Catonsville, Maryland, St. Mary's Seminary, Paca St., Baltimore and at the North American College in Rome with classes at the Gregorian University. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 20, 1952 o'at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

His first assignment as parochial vicar was at the church of the Little Flower, Bethesda and in 1962 as parochial vicar at Saint Reese of Avila Parish, Washington, DC. In 1965 he was named pastor of Holy Angels Parish, Avenue, Maryland and in 1968 pastor of Saint Margaret of Scotland Parish, Seat Pleasant, Maryland. He was named pastor of Saint Mark the Evangelist parish, Hyattsville, Maryland in 1970, then pastor of Saint Michael parish, Baden, Md in 1987 and in 1994 as pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He retired in 2007 and resided in Mount Calvary Parish,  Forrestville, Maryland. In 2013 he moved into Sacred Heart nursing home, Hyattsville, Maryland.

Monsignor Hughes was named a papal chamberlain a 1972 and domestic prelate in 1978. He served on the Priest Senare, as Censor Librorum for the Archdiocese of Washington and was a member of the archdiocesan Board of Education as parish priest examiner. He was dean of southern Prince George's County, a chaplain of the Maryland Knights of Columbus Councils 4076, 3022, 1955 and on many boards and councils for Prince George's County.

The Vigil will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017, 3 to 7 PM at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The vigil Mass will be at 7:30 PM. Cardinal Wuerl will celebrate the funeral Mass at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 10, 2017. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, Maryland.