Bishop Joseph Roper
Title:
Bishop
First Name:
Joseph
Middle Names:
Basil
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Roper
Order:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Dennington, near Warrnambool VIC
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney NSW
Country of Ordination:
Australia
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
St Patrick's College, Manly, Australia
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Ararat VIC
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Ballarat VIC
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Appointments Table
Diocese | Place | Role | Start Day | Start Month | Start Year | End Day | End Month | End Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toowoomba | Toowoomba | Bishop | 1938 | 1952 | Toowoomba Prayer Calendar |
Episcopal Ordinations Table
Diocese | Day | Month | Year | Place | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toowoomba | 28 | Oct | 1938 | St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat VIC | Australia |
Biographical Notes
Warracknabeal, Ballarat, Vic; Toowoomba, Qld
Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Most Rev Joseph Basil (Basil) Roper DD, Second Bishop of the Diocese of Toowoomba, died 28 July 1964
Joseph Basil Roper was born in Dennington, near Warrnambool, Victoria, on 19th, 1888. He attended the Sisters of Mercy School in Warrnambool, then transferred to the Christian Brothers in 1901. In 1905, he met Bishop Higgins and was accepted as a student for the Priesthood, beginning his studies at Manly in 1906. He was ordained in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on 30th November, 1911. After serving in several Victorian Parishes, he received a notice on 13th July, 1938, of his nomination as second Bishop of Toowoomba. He was consecrated by Archbishop Daniel Mannix in St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat, on 28th October, 1938, and took possession of his Diocese on 20th November, that same year. Throughout his Episcopate he proved untiring in his efforts to get to know the people. When he arrived there were 19 parishes in the Diocese, when he left there were 32. Due to failing health, he tended his resignation to the Holy See in 1952, he left Toowoomba shortly afterwards and returned to Ararat in Victoria. In November, 1961, he celebrated his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee. He died on 28th July, 1964 and is buried in Ararat.
(Ref. Archives)
Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.