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Order of Malta Australia

News

FROM THE PRESIDENT: RIP Most Rev. Archbishop Emeritus John Alexis Bathersby

11/03/2020 


Dear Consoeurs. Confrères and Friends

It was with sorrow and joy that I heard today of the death of our former conventual chaplain and Archbishop of Brisbane, Most Rev. Archbishop Emeritus John Alexis Bathersby AO DD STL STD DUni (Griff) DL(Hon) UQ. He had been one of our conventual chaplains ad honorem since 20 October 2005 and was greatly loved both within the Order and in the Brisbane Archdiocese. He encouraged Bishop Ken Howell to become involved in the Order to our great advantage as well as directing many new members to join us.

He was a leading ecumenist, highly regarded as a spiritual director and a great friend of our former president, Dr Ian Marshall, who spoke memorably about him at his valedictory dinner hosted by the Order in 2011.

A brief survey of his long and productive life can be found in the Catholic Leader:
https://catholicleader.com.au/news/brisbane-archdioceses-former-shepherd-archbishop-john-bathersby-has-died-aged-84

So it is with sorrow that we recognise his death as a loss to us in this world but with joy that we recognise that he will be welcomed into Heaven as the holy and good man that he was.

Please remember him in your prayers. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Confraternal best wishes
The Hon Justice James Douglas KHD
President
Australian Association

Archdiocese of Brisbane notice

A live webcast of the Vigil Prayers and Reception of the Body of Archbishop John Bathersby (Sunday March 15 at 5.00pm) and the Funeral Mass (Monday March 16 at 11.00am) at the Cathedral of St Stephen can both be viewed at archbne.org/bzw

Members of the public are asked to note there won’t be the regular Sunday Evening Mass at 7.30pm in the Cathedral on Sunday March 15 because of the Vigil Prayers, and that no public parking is available for the Funeral Mass on Monday March 16.

The Australian Association

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.