When and where were you born?
I was born on 20th July 1934 in Kapunda – the oldest mining town in Australia, just north of the Barossa Valley.
Memories of your childhood/family/upbringing/schooling?
I was educated by the Dominican Sisters at Kapunda up until Year 10, and then went to Christian Brothers Rostrevor College to complete my secondary education. My parents were very involved in the Church and various church activities, and I became a regular server at Mass, including weekdays. I vividly recall riding my bike to Mass on cold windy mornings for 7.00 Mass, then home for breakfast and back to school.
When/why did you decide to enter the seminary?
The Dominican Sisters, one Irish sister in particular, often told me I would make a good priest – she was of course thinking of a Dominican priest. But the idea was instilled at an early stage although I did not decide until my final year at Rostrevor and then went to St Francis Xavier’s Seminary across the road from the College. If I had not gone to the seminary I probably would have taken up engineering, like the rest of my family.
Memories of seminary life?
By today’s standards life at the seminary was pretty tough – rather primitive living conditions to start with, plus fairly strict discipline. There wasn’t much freedom to pursue one’s own interests. But Thursday walks in the Adelaide Hills and quite a bit of sport helped to make life more endurable. One of my hard times was when my father died a few weeks before I left to go to St Patrick’s College in Manly. I know it was pretty tough on my mother at the time. But I certainly appreciated the opportunity of going to Manly, to broaden one’s experience and also establish some lasting friendships ‘in the East’.
When and where were you ordained?
I was ordained in my home town of Kapunda on 20th July 1957 – my 23rd Birthday. In hindsight it was such a young age! I was the first priest ordained by Archbishop James Gleeson and we became lifelong friends.
What areas of ministry have you worked in since ordination?
My first five years were spent in Mt Gambier where the parish priest, Mons Redden, had been the Rector at the Seminary. I think Mons Redden had a great effect on my pastoral development. The next five years were in Adelaide and then I had 20 years in family welfare with special involvement in marriage counselling, marriage education and immigration. I also became involved in a wide variety of ministries and activities – these included involvement in radio, television plus a regular column in the Southern Cross. It was the time of changes in the liturgy and I was secretary of the liturgy committee for several years, plus being on the National Liturgical Commission. I was also an army chaplain for a number of years. In the marriage and family scene I was involved in the establishment of national committees for Marriage Education and Natural Family Planning. I have, after completing 24 years of service, recently retired from the Human Research Ethics Committee at the Adelaide University. After 15 years as Parish Priest of the Adelaide Hills Parish, I have now been PP of Tranmere for the past six years, and due to retire at the end of 2009.
What have been the highlights of your ministry to date?
Looking back I can say my life as a priest has been quite varied and extremely interesting, and never boring. But the life as a priest has changed so much since 1957. In the early days at Mt Gambier I was almost a full time youth worker with RE classes in State schools and the parish schools four days a week, plus work with YCS and YCW and the variety of social and sporting activities that went with it. My 20 years in Family Welfare were important years - interesting and challenging, but throughout that time I always had a hands-on parish involvement.
What is the best advice you would pass on to future seminarians?
Don’t put yourself on a pedestal – be with the people, listen to them, take note and they can help you to be a better priest. Not all wisdom comes out of books.
What are your personal hopes for the future?
I am due to retire at the end of this year and intend returning to my hometown of Kapunda to live, and no doubt will find plenty to occupy me. When I was ordained there were two priests living in Kapunda – now there is none. In the area three parishes have been united in one.
What are your personal hopes for the future of the Church in Australia?
It is one of my frustrations that the church leadership has been so slow to respond to changes that were foreseen a decade ago. As the NCP has presented to Rome, we need to move beyond a priesthood restricted to the celibate clergy. More has to be done in actively preparing lay people to take on leadership roles in the church. I think the church has become too bureaucratic and rigid in its structures and the spirit of Vatican II has been somewhat stifled.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
It’s hard to point to one person – my parents of course, also Mons Redden and Archbishop Gleeson.
What was the last book you read or movie you saw?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Geoff Robinson’s book on the abuse of power in the Church, and also Jo Laffin’s biography of Archbishop Matthew Beovich – a wonderful story of a remarkable man. I thought “Slumdog Millionaire” was a great film, “The Reader” was rather thought provoking, as was “Doubt”.
Your favourite travel destination?
I have been to a number of countries, but Israel left a lasting impression, as did Ireland. But I am not a great fan of overseas travel.
What hobbies/pastimes are important to you?
I used to be a very keen golfer, but these days I tend to spend more time gardening and just “tinkering” with mechanical or electrical things- the engineering bent!
A bit of fun – what would you like to the inscription on your headstone to read?
“A people’s Priest”
