Much loved, humble Pastor farewelled

Archbishop Francis Carroll was remembered as a man with enormous capacity for the encounter of friendship at the Pontifical Requiem Mass held at St Christopher’s Cathedral this morning.

Archbishop Christopher Prowse said in this Archdiocesan Year of the Holy Spirit and its themes we could rightly say Father Frank, as he was better known, was a Godly man of encounter, discipleship, and mission.

“This was his charism arising from his Baptism,” he said in the homily.

“Archbishop Francis Carroll related to all of us in his long life in this face-to-face manner of the Gospel. He called us by name. He looked us in the eyes. His humility, surely one of the greatest characteristics of true leadership, warmed us to his gentle smile. He encouraged us.”

Bishops from around the country, including Hobart, Brisbane, Bathurst and Sydney, gathered in Canberra to farewell the beloved figure.

At a Vigil Liturgy at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka on Wednesday and also at a Mass at St Brendan’s Church in Ganmain on Tuesday, Father Frank’s family shared a eulogy read on their behalf by Kevin Croker.

“Father Frank’s pastoral achievements are well documented, so today we wanted to share our more personal memories of him as a man and much-loved member of our family,” Mr Croker read.

“That is what we will remember: the gatherings over the years when he was just Frank, or Father Frank, simply a loved member of the family enjoying spending time together. We all love, remember, and will miss him immensely. We feel very blessed to have been a special part of this great man’s life.”

Mr Croker said Father Frank loved being involved in family gatherings, whatever the occasion.

“Whether it was a wedding, funeral, or baptism, we often looked to Father Frank to guide us, and he never let us down. He innately knew the right words to say in every circumstance and his presence brought calm to the chaos that sometimes goes with family,” he read.

“Father Frank had a great sense of humour and a genuine love of meeting and connecting with people. He gave dignity, respect, and time to all he met, and it was common to see a line-up of people forming, all waiting patiently to say hello to him at events. Whenever his name is mentioned, people always have a favourite story or special memory of him to share.”

At a Solemn Pontifical Mass attended by hundreds at St Michael’s Cathedral in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday, Reverend Kevin O’Reilly remembered Archbishop Carroll as a good man.

“He was a true farm boy, milking the cows, rounding up the horses, and he was a pretty good handyman; in fact, he was very proud and would tell anyone who would listen that he built the outside dunny,” he said in the eulogy.

“He was competitive, a good man, and he had a great sense of humour. He loved all things sport, and he loved Ganmain.”

After the service, priests formed a guard of honour as Archbishop Carroll’s casket was carried from the cathedral.

In Canberra today, internment in the crypt of St Christopher’s Cathedral occurred after the Mass.