Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 36:

Bucas, Pierre Marie, French, Diamond Jubilarian
A Heart for the People of the Dark Race
A special biography on this Diamond Jubilarian appeared in Footprints Vol. 1, No. 11. The writer was R.J. Manning, Mackay. He refers at length to Pierre's career as a Papal Zouave in the Army of Pius IX; his coming to and expulsion from N.Z.; his efforts along with those of Fr. Duncan McNab to care for the aboriginal people. (See also Cardinal Moran's History, p. 420); his pastorate at Mackay spanning, except for a short interlude, the years 1869-1912. The main life and death details are: b. in St. Jean, Brittany, 21.8.1840; ed. at the Sorbonne and St. Sulpice, Paris; ord. in N.Z. shortly after arrival with Bp. Pompallier in 1865. He worked among the Maoris and was deported by Army authorities for teaching them how to handle rifles for use in self-defence. He was on his way to banishment in France when he met Bp. James Quinn in Melb. After serving in '67-9 at St. Stephen's, Bris., he was sent to Mackay. He demonstrated his care for all, no matter what religion or skin colour, and that he was a builder, a scholar, and as versatile a man that has ever been on the Australian Mission. d. 22.10.1930; age 90. Buried first in Rock'n his remains were transferred to Mackay in Nov. 1946.
(Footprints, Vol. 1, No. 9)
Ref.: as quoted above.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 191:
Rev Fr Pierre Marie Bucas

Fr Pierre Bucas was an outstanding pioneer priest. He spent 16 years in the diocese of Brisbane prior to 48 years in the young diocese of Rockhampton.

Pierre Marie Bucas was born on 21 August 1840 in the town of St Jean in Poteri, Brittany in France, the eleventh child in a family of twelve. After preliminary studies he entered the Sorbonne University to study medicine. Attending Mass at Saint Sulpice and meeting priests at the Sèminaire des Missions Etrangères de Paris he chose a vocation to the priesthood.

No long after his entrance to the seminary he went to Italy to serve in the Papal Zouaves, the pope's army in the days of the Papal States. He served mass on several occasions for Pio Nono. Eventually he responded to the Pope's advice to return to the seminary.

In response to a visit by Bishop Pompallier of New Zealand, Pierre chose a missionary calling. After his arrival in New Zealand aboard the Andrew Jackson on 24 August 1865 he was ordained a priest and appointed to the Waikato mission. He became friendly with and respected by the Maori people learning their language and using his medical training to treat their sick. When a Maori man arrived with a gun-shot wound, Fr Pierre instructed the people in the use of contemporary rifles. He was reported to the authorities and a Colonel Thompson arranged for his deportation from New Zealand. He was sent to Melbourne on his way to France. Here Fr Bucas met Bishop Quinn who recruited him for the Brisbane mission. In 1867 he began his 63 year long association with the Queensland Catholic church.

He spent two years in Brisbane before being sent to Mackay. In 1871 he welcomed the Sisters of St Joseph to his mission. In that year he became an Australian citizen. In 1873 he succeeded in erecting a church to seat 500 people. He built an orphanage near the sea to be served by the Josephite sisters. He made special provision for the aborigines inspired by his experience with the Maori people in New Zealand. In 1878 Fr Bucas was associated with Fr Duncan McNab the famous missionary to the aborigines. Later the orphanage was moved to Neerkol near Rockhampton.

In 1880 Fr Bucas left for Cooktown doing missionary work on the Palmer River gold-fields, the Atherton tableland and other remote areas. After two years he was posted to Charters Towers. In 1887 he returned to Mackay. There in 1901 he built St Patrick's Church which served this growing and prosperous town for sixty years.

In 1912 Fr Bucas was suffering from palsy or malaria originally contracted in the forests of New Zealand. Bishop Duhig decided to send him to Barcaldine where his nephew Fr Julian Plormel was the parish priest. On hearing of his transfer he wept bitterly. But he went to the care of his nephew whose study for the priesthood he had financed. When Fr Julian enlisted as a chaplain in the 1914-1918 war Fr Pierre held the fort for him from 1915. He remained with Fr Julian who was suffering from his war experiences until 1922.

Fr Pierre retired to the Mater Hospital in Rockhampton. He died there on 23 October 1930, aged 90. He was buried in Rockhampton but in 1946 Bishop Tynan and Archbishop Duhig officiated at his re-interment in Mackay where a monument was erected over his grave.(1)

Footnotes
1. R J Manning, Footprints in July 1973, Vol. 1. No. 11. This story is a precis of the lengthy article on Fr Bucas life provided to Fr Linane after reading Linane's original article on Fr Bucas in Footprints of January 1973 Vol. 1, No 9, p. 22.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.