Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Photo by Communications Ministry, Transfiguration Church
Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., the auxiliary bishops and priests of the archdiocese concelebrated the Jan. 17 funeral Mass for Father Fernando Molina Restrepo, who died Jan. 9 after a lengthy battle with cancer. 

Marietta

Father Fernando Molina Restrepo remembered

By GEORGIA BULLETIN STAFF | Published January 12, 2025

MARIETTA—Father Fernando Molina Restrepo, a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta for more than 25 years, died Jan. 9. He was 63 years old.   

Father Fernando Molina Restrepo smiles while attending the Amazing Parish Conference in 2017 in Atlanta. He died Jan. 9 and was a priest of the archdiocese for more than 25 years. Photo by Michael Alexander

Father Molina Restrepo was born in December 1961 in Anserma, Caldas, Colombia, to Maria Enoe Restrepo and Gildardo Luis Molina. He studied at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1999, by Archbishop John F. Donoghue.  

He began his ministry in the Archdiocese of Atlanta at Holy Trinity Church in Peachtree City. He also was a parochial vicar at St. Michael Church, Gainesville, and St. Joseph Church, Marietta. Father Molina Restrepo was administrator at Our Lady of the Americas Mission, Lilburn, and pastor at Christ Our King and Savior Church, Greensboro; St. Theresa Church, Douglasville; Transfiguration Church, Marietta; and most recently at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Alpharetta. His longest pastorate was at Transfiguration Church, where he served as the community’s spiritual leader for more than seven years.  

As a priest, he enjoyed helping people solve problems, especially married couples, and visiting the sick. “It is really touching,” he once said about ministering to the sick and those in nursing homes. A bilingual priest, he loved being able to celebrate sacraments in two languages. Father Molina Restrepo’s hobbies included travel, movies, exercise, reading, parties and “all activities that build community.”    

He is predeceased by his father Gildardo Luis Molina Echavarria. Father Molina Restrepo is survived by his mother, Maria Enoe Restrepo de Molina; and family members Fanny Molina Restrepo (Jose Oscar Parra); Nelcy Molina Restrepo, Eunice Molina Restrepo (Efrain Ramirez), Tiberio Molina Restrepo, Luis Gerardo Molina Restrepo, Gildardo Antonio Molina Restrepo and Sandra Milena Molina Restrepo (Juan Carlos Moran), as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  

A bilingual funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, Jan. 17 at Transfiguration. The burial followed at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., was the celebrant, with Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM; Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger III, Bishop John Tran, and dozens of archdiocesan priests concelebrating. 

Archbishop Hartmayer first met Father Molina Restrepo more than 25 years ago when they were serving at neighboring parishes in Jonesboro and Peachtree City, and he recalled his brother priest’s friendship and gentleness. He last visited him on Christmas Eve.  

“Fernando doesn’t merely live on in our memories, but in our faith that tells us he is with the Lord,” said the archbishop. 

Father Eric Hill, current pastor of Transfiguration, eulogized his friend.  

“He loved his ministry. He loved his priesthood … in English and in Spanish” said Father Hill to laughter. “He shared with me his gratefulness for the priesthood.” 

Father Hill recalled friend’s frequent encouragement of others considering priestly vocations or to the religious life. 

During Father Molina Restrepo’s lengthy battle with cancer, parishioners flooded his caretakers with inquiries on his progress and with fortifying prayers. 

“He was loved by so many of you,” Father Hill told the congregation. “He’s now at rest.”