It is with great sadness that Bishop David P. Talley and our Diocese share the passing of Monsignor Peter P. Buchignani. Please join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Monsignor Buchignani. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Monsignor Buchignani entered eternal life Tuesday, October 17, after some prolonged health complications. He was ordained into the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on December 18, 1965. Monsignor Buchignani played an integral role in our Church in West Tennessee for 58 years, spanning through seven decades.
Please pray for the peace and strength for all his family and friends that are suffering through his loss. The following arrangements have been finalized for Monsignor Buchignani. His obituary will be available soon.
Arrangements
— Visitation is Tuesday, October 24, from 5:00-7:00pm, at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Our Mother Church, 1695 Central Ave., Memphis.
— Funeral Mass is Wednesday, October 25, at 10:00am, at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Our Mother Church, 1695 Central Ave., Memphis.
— Committal will take place following the Mass at Calvary, Our Catholic Cemetery, 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis.
Obituary
Monsignor Peter P. Buchignani died on October 17, 2023, after prolonged health issues. He was born on May 3, 1940, as the second of twin boys and the fourth of five children.
After graduation from Christian Brothers High School (CBHS), he attended seminary in St. Mary, Ky., and completed his theological studies at the North American College in Rome, Italy, where he was ordained a Catholic Priest on December 18, 1965, at the Basilica of St. Peter. In 1966, he returned to Memphis to begin his priestly duties, which spanned over 50 years and more than 20 parishes.
After the Diocese of Memphis was established in 1971, he returned to Rome for further study and obtained a degree in Canon Law in 1973. In addition to his parish assignments, he served as Vicar General of the Diocese and on many other diocesan committees and boards. He was elevated to Monsignor in 1987 and Protonotary Apostolic in 2009 and won too many awards and Hall of Fame inductions to name here.
Over the many years and parishes, he taught, baptized, married or buried hundreds, if not thousands, of parishioners, and he was known for his timeless devotion to the Church, his gifted preaching, and his ability to connect with people. He had a zest for life and a great sense of humor. His “earthlier” passions included watching the Dallas Cowboys and the NY Yankees, but most especially, playing and watching Golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard G. Buchignani, Sr., and Margaret Weber Buchignani, and his eldest brother, Fr. Richard G. Buchignani. He is survived by his twin brother, Paul P. Buchignani, Sr., brother Albert Buchignani (Linda), sister Margaret W. Buchignani; three nephews: Dan Buchignani (Stella), Paul P. Buchignani II, and Brian Buchignani; one niece, Mary Buchignani Hemphill (John); and two great-nephews: Charles Buchignani and Nicolai Buchignani. Visitation will be at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, October 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, October 25, at 10 a.m., at the Cathedral, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. The Funeral Mass will be streamed on Facebook on the page for the “Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee.”
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis for the Seminarians’ fund or for the Priests’ Retirement fund, or to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School for the Monsignor Peter P. Buchignani Endowment Fund to provide tuition assistance for families.
Memorial
Monsignor Peter Paul Buchignani, P.A.
Born: May 3, 1940
Died: October 17, 2023
Parents: Richard and Margaret Buchignani
Ordained to the Priesthood: December 18, 1965, at St. Peter Basilica in Rome
Parish & Diocesan Assignments:
— 8/12/1966-6/14/1967 Associate, Sacred Heart Church-Memphis
— 8/25/1967-6/18/1970 Associate, Holy Rosary Church
— 6/19/1970-9/1/1971 Associate, St. Joseph Church
— 8/20/1973-4/1/1977 Vice-Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 11/10/1973-5/6/1987 Judicial Vicar, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 4/1/1977-7/6/1998 Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 11/4/1978-5/31/1979 Pastor, Church of the Incarnation
— 5/31/1979-6/21/1983 Pastor, Sacred Heart Church-Memphis
— 7/1/1986-7/26/1995 Pastor, Church of the Resurrection
— 5/15/1987-10/17/2023 Tribunal Judge, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 7/26/1995-6/27/2012 Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi
— 12/14/2003-1/26/2018 Judicial Vicar, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 6/27/2012-8/23/2016 Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 8/23/2016-10/17/2016 Diocesan Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
— 3/16/2021-10/17/2023 Promoter of Justice, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
Papal Honors:
— 9/1/1987 Chaplain to His Holiness
— 5/25/2009 Protonotary Apostolic
In Lieu of Flowers:
Please give to the Monsignor Peter P. Buchignani Endowment Fund established by the Knights of Columbus, Council 9317, Cordova, Tenn., for the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School at: MsgrBuchignani….
Live Streaming
Our Catholic Diocese of Memphis will live stream the Funeral Mass on our Facebook page and YouTube channel, this Wednesday morning, October 25. Just click on one of the two buttons below before 10am on Wednesday to stream. Thank you.
