FORMER Canberra and Goulburn Archbishop Francis Carroll has died at Calvary Hospital in Wagga Wagga today.
He was 93 years old.
“Archbishop Francis always retained the personal charm of his rural family background,” Canberra and Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse said.
“So many loved him as a Catholic leader of immense stature.
“Simply called Father Francis by friends and parishioners over the years, he was always approachable.
“His humble and prayerful manner will be remembered by so many.”
Archbishop Carroll was well remembered as the first Australian bishop to call a diocesan synod following the Second Vatican Council, and called another in 2000.
He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001, an honour introduced during the Centenary of Federation year.
“He welcomed Pope John Paul II to the National Capital during his visit to Australia in 1986 and is well remembered for his active support and encouragement to the youth and renewal movements,” Archbishop Prowse said.
Born on September 9, 1930, in Ganmain, New South Wales, Archbishop Carroll was the second of seven children of Patrick and Rose Carroll.
He attended the local Ganmain School before transferring to Sydney and completed his secondary education with the De La Salle Brothers in Marrickville.
His seminary studies were conducted at St Columba’s Seminary, Springwood, and St Patrick’s Seminary, Manly.
He was ordained a priest at Ganmain by Bishop Francis Augustine Henschke, Bishop of Wagga Wagga.
Archbishop Carroll succeeded Bishop Henschke as bishop of Wagga Wagga in 1968.
In 1983, he was appointed Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn until 2006.
He was President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference from 2000 to 2006.
In 2006, he retired and returned to Wagga Wagga.
In recent years, Archbishop Carroll has suffered from indifferent health and had been a resident at Loreto Home of Compassion in Wagga Wagga.
Details of Archbishop Carroll’s funeral have still to be finalised.
