Archdiocese of Adelaide, Biographies of deceased clergy, coordinated by Monsignor John Swann, available from https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-people/biographies-of-deceased-clergy, accessed on 6 November 2025:
Fr William Flanagan
Biography:

Early life and education

William (Bill) Flanagan was a Western Australian by birth – born at Cunderdin in WA on December 29, 1929. He received his early education from the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition and CBNC in Perth.

As a young man, he suffered from poliomyelitis and, though he recovered well, it left him with a slight disability throughout life. When he expressed the desire to study for the priesthood he was accepted at St Francis Xavier Seminary for the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

He commenced his studies in 1951, went to St Patrick’s College, Manly in 1954 and was ordained to the priesthood in St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth for the Archdiocese of Adelaide on July 27, 1957.

Something of an entrepreneur

Bill was always regarded as something of an entrepreneur and was usually caught up in some scheme or other – he always seemed to have access to information or clandestine food supplies. He had a great singing voice and a touch of the theatrical – he’ll always be remembered for his role in Arsenic and Old Lace.

His first appointment was as assistant priest in the parish of Woodville with special care for the people of Albert Park where he made a lasting impression. In May 1962 he was appointed locum tenens in the parish of Naracoorte following the sudden death of the parish priest, Fr Dempsey.  From there he was appointed administrator, and soon after parish priest of Salisbury. It was a rapidly growing parish and he was responsible for the building the great St Augustine’s Church.

Appointments as parish priest

At the end of July 1973 he was granted two month's long service leave and travelled overseas. In January 1974 he was appointed parish priest of Naracoorte, but in August of that year he had to resign due to ill health. For some time, he lived at the Archbishop’s House, West Terrace and did relief work in various parishes.

In Jan 1976 he was appointed parish priest of Woodville – where he had begun his priestly ministry. And then in April 1983 he was appointed parish priest of Walkerville (his final parish) where he recalled with some ire coming home one night to find a “FOR SALE” notice on the Presbytery – without his knowledge!
He remained here for nine years, during which time he was elected as the Northern Region delegate to the Council of Priests.

Zest for life, care for the sick

Bill was a great organiser within the church and in the wider community, and his talents were recognised far and wide, especially with the International Lions Movement where he became local governor. He had a penchant for overseas travel and there were many stories of his exciting escapades, including being mugged in San Francisco and being rescued from a fire-stricken liner off the coast of Vietnam.     

On arrival back in Adelaide he left immediately for Thailand to recuperate!  We were never surprised by what Bill did or experienced. He was renowned for his tremendous hospitality, generosity and love of entertainment. In his priestly life he was noted for his genuine pastoral care, especially of the sick.
Despite his failing health in latter years, it never seemed to daunt his energy or enthusiasm – he was always intent on living life to the full.

Ill health and death

Bill had suffered from a heart condition for some time and just before Easter 1992 he was admitted to hospital following a heart attack. But given his great devotion to the sick, almost immediately before going to hospital for his final heart surgery he took Communion to a number of sick parishioners.  

He was warned that coronary by-pass surgery was a high risk in his condition, but that he would not live long without it. He died soon after surgery on April 13, the Monday of Holy Week. His funeral Mass was celebrated at St Monica’s Church, Walkerville on April 15 and he was buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Salisbury. 

May he rest in peace.

Reproduced by permission of Monsignor John Swann and the Archdiocese of Adelaide.