ARCHBISHOP Francis Rush of Brisbane served the Church through one of its most difficult periods in recent times.
It was not long after he was installed as Bishop of Rockhampton that the Second Vatican Council was convened in Rome.
The council had a major influence on the new bishop. When he returned from Rome he started directing many of the changes that were to leave an indelible mark on the Church in Rockhampton then in Brisbane.
Archbishop Rush also had a passion for ecumenism. He was instrumental in the Catholic Church joining Queensland Churches Together and his efforts in bringing the Churches closer together are still reflected today.
His untiring generosity and kindness, his concern for the disadvantaged and his memory of people’s names and faces are legendary traits which will be remembered by those who knew or met him.
Queensland has lost not just a great leader, but a man of great faith and love.
