Michael J. Begley

Michael Joseph Begley (March 12, 1909 – February 9, 2002) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Charlotte, North Carolina from 1972 until 1984.

Begley was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, to Dennis and Anna (née Moynahan) Begley. His father came to the United States from County Kerry in Ireland. He received his early education at West Springfield public schools and at Cathedral High School. He studied at Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1930. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas Michael O'Leary on May 26, 1934, for the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. His first assignments were at Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington and at St. Edward Church in High Point.