Msgr. Robert Morrissey was born in Brooklyn and studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College, Douglaston, and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington.  He was ordained in 1983.  He has earned degrees in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America, Washington, and the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome.

His first assignment was as associate pastor of  Blessed Sacrament, Valley Stream, 1983-88.  From 1988 until 1991 he served as chaplain at Franklin Hospital Medical Center, Franklin Square.  Msgr. Morrissey served as associate director for chaplaincy services from 1989-91 before returning to full time studies.  He was appointed adjutant judicial vicar of the Diocesan Tribunal in 1992 and vice chancellor in 2000.  Msgr. Morrissey was appointed as Bishop Murphy's Secretary, effective June 2003.  Msgr. Morrissey was named Chaplain to his Holiness by Pope John Paul II in January 2005 with the title of Monsignor.