Archbishop John Bathersby
Title:
Archbishop
First Name:
John
Middle Names:
Alexius
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Bathersby
Order:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Stanthorpe QLD
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Stanthorpe QLD
Country of Ordination:
Australia
Ordination Diocese:
Toowoomba
Seminary:
Pius XII Provincial Seminary, Banyo, Australia
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Brisbane QLD
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane QLD
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 | Goondiwindi | Funeral brochure | |||||||
| Brisbane | Banyo | Spiritual Director, Pius XII Seminary | Funeral brochure | ||||||
| Cairns | Cairns | Bishop | 1986 | 1991 | Funeral brochure | ||||
| Brisbane | Brisbane | Archbishop | 3 | Dec | 1991 | 14 | Nov | 2011 | Funeral brochure |
Biographical Notes
Funeral brochure:
The Most Reverend John Alexius Bathersby
John Alexius Bathersby was born in Stanthorpe on 26th July, 1936, the son of John Thomas and Grace Maud (nee Conquest) Bathersby. He has an older sister, Carmel, a younger brother, Michael, and two younger sisters, Suzanne and Anne. His father was a shopkeeper and publican at the "Country Club Hotel" in Stanthorpe.
He completed his primary schooling at St Joseph's Stanthorpe, (1941 - 1950) and his secondary schooling as a boarder at Nudgee College (1951 - 1954). From school, he entered Pius XII Seminary, Banyo, to begin his formation for the priesthood '- and was ordained in his home Parish of Stanthorpe by Bishop William Brennan on 30th June, 1961.
His first seven years as a Priest were spent as an Associate Pastor and Administrator at Goondiwindi before being sent to Rome for further studies in 1969 where he completed a licentiate in Theology at the Gregorian University, and a Diploma in Spirituality at the Terasianum University.
He was then appointed to Pius XII Seminary in Brisbane where he served as Spiritual Director for seven years before returning to Rome for a Doctorate in Theology /Spirituality in 1979. He returned to the Seminary until he was appointed Bishop of Cairns in 1986.
In 1986, Dr. Bathersby was ordained Bishop of Cairns by Archbishop Rush, whom he succeeded as Archbishop of Brisbane on 30th January, 1992.
Archbishop Bathersby was keenly involved in ecumenical affairs both nationally and internationally. He was a member of the International Catholic-Methodist Dialogue from 1989 -1995. He served as Co-Chairman of the Australian Catholic-Uniting Church Dialogue, concluding the co-chair role in 2009. In July 1997 he was appointed President of the National Council of Churches in Australia. He completed this appointment in July 2000. In January 2001 he was appointed Co-Chair of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission Working Group concluding this role in 2010.
With the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Archbishop has served as Deputy President of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference 2000-2006, Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Justice, Development, Ecology and Peace 2000-2006, and Chairman of Catholic Earthcare Australia 2000-2004. He was Chairman of the Bishops' Commission for Mission and Faith Formation and also a member of the executive of the Confederation of Bishops' Conferences of Oceania from 1991 to May 1994. In 2003 he called and presided over the second Brisbane Archdiocesan Synod, the first to include the participation of lay people.
His personal interests included bushwalking, mountain climbing, watching sport and listening to classical music. As Archbishop of Brisbane, his fervent wish was to communicate the radical, exciting and life-giving message of Jesus, particularly to young people. He will be remembered for his prayerful, strong but humble leadership shaped by his country roots and unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ.