Bishop Moore was born on 12 January 1942 in the parish of Harold's Cross, Dublin, in the Archdiocese of Dublin, the second son of John and Mary Moore (née Broughal). He is survived by his brother Gerard and younger sister Mary.

He attended the Christian Brothers Secondary School, Synge Street, Dublin from 1955 to 1959. In that year he entered the Spiritual Year programme of the Society of African Missions (SMA) at Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. In 1960 he became a member of the SMA. From 1960 to 1966 he studied Philosophy and Theology at the SMA Major seminary at Dromantine, Newry, Co Down. John was admitted as a permanent member of the SMA on 15 June 1965. Right Reverend Eugene Doherty, Bishop of Dromore, ordained him to the priesthood on 20 December 1965 in St Colman's Cathedral, Newry.

He was appointed to the north of Nigeria, arriving there in October 1966. After completing his Language learning programme in Kagoro, Kaduna State, John was appointed to the then diocese of Jos. Among the parishes where John ministerd are Akwanga, Kwa, Shendam, Kafanchan, Kwande, Pankshin and Jos. From 1983-1984 he was chosen to serve as SMA Society Superior in Jos. During his 44 years as a priest and bishop in Nigeria he rejoiced in seeing the creation of three new dioceses from the original diocese of Jos: Kafanchan, Shendam and Bauchi. He continued to minister in Nigeria until his return to Ireland recently for medical treatment.

The Vicariate Apostolic of Bauchi was created on 5 July 1996 with territory taken from the Archdiocese of Jos. It covers 64,605 square kilometers in Bauchi State. John was appointed as the Vicar Apostolic. He was ordained titular bishop of Gigthi on 7 November 1996 by Archbishop Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka, Archbishop of Jos.

^{Bishop John Moore SMA and friends}

On 31 December 2003 Bauchi was raised to the status of a diocese with John as its first Bishop. He was installed as Bishop on 11 March 2004 at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Bauchi. The new diocese had a population of more than 5.5 million people, of whom 68,000 were Catholic. With 12 parishes in the diocese, Bishop Moore was assisted by 23 priests, 6 Sisters and more than 50 fulltime Catechists.

He is sadly mourned by his brother Gerard, his sister Mary, his sister-in-law Joan and his brother-in-law Michael, by his relatives and friends. He is also mourned by the priests, religious and people of the diocese of Bauchi, his brother bishops in the Nigerian Episcopal Conference and by his confreres in the Society of African Missions.

Funeral arrangements

Thursday, 21 January: Prayers will be said at 12.30pm in the Mortuary Chapel at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin followed by removal to Cork.
The remains of Bishop Moore are due to arrive at the SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork at 5pm.
Friday, 22 January: Removal at 7pm from Blackrock Road to St Joseph's SMA Church, Wilton.
Saturday, 23 January: The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon followed by burial in the adjoining SMA cemetery.