WELL-KNOWN priest Fr Bob Maguire, who fought for the underprivileged and homeless throughout his life, has died in Melbourne.
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said Fr Maguire had been a faithful priest of the Church in Melbourne since his ordination in 1960, “and a fierce friend of the downhearted, the broken and the lost throughout his whole life”.
“Without a doubt, he was the ‘larrikin priest’, who had a great love for Jesus – who also lived with the outcast and the unloved,” he said.
“Recent months have been a struggle for Bob in both health and relationships. We pray that he is now at peace with his Saviour and Lord.
“In faith, we now entrust Bob to eternal life. May he be welcomed to the Heavenly feast.”
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge tweeted: “Vale Fr Bob Maguire, priest, pastor, prophet, poet, friend of the poor, clown of God, human being…and a huge influence on my early life who led me to the priesthood. Thanks, old friend, now rest in peace…but let the fire in the belly blaze forever”.
In a statement from Fr Maguire’s family they said, “Fr Bob was a dear and much loved member of our family and will be sorely missed for his energy and good humour.”
“His physical and mental health had been deteriorating for some time but his preference was always to help others rather than consider his own situation.
“Fr Bob was not just a much-loved family member but was loved by all Australians for what he stood for.
“He has fought bravely for the underprivileged and homeless all his life. He represented the highest of principles, and he fought to actively live those principles.
“Despite his high profile in the media, he was always on the job, especially for the disadvantaged families and individuals for whom he had great love and compassion.
“He wanted nobody to be left behind and always saw and believed in the good in people, but he knew that there were many whom he referred to as the unloved and unlovely. These were his real passion.
“The last few months have been very difficult for both the family and for those around Fr Bob as we managed his declining health.
“We thank all the medical staff who have attended him in recent months and express our gratitude to them for their work and devotion.
“We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements will be made in the coming days.
