Goulburn, Cootamundra, NSW; Perth

Fourth Bishop of Perth and first Archbishop of Perth.

---

Australian Dictionary of Biography entry:https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clune-patrick-joseph-5689

---

Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, pp 52-55:

Clune, Patrick Joseph, CSSR, Most Rev., Irish
First Archbishop of Perth
Patrick Joseph Clune, first to carry the title of Archbishop of Perth, was born in the village of Ruart on 6 January 1864; fifth child in a family of eleven born to James and Margaret (Lynch). He went to the National School whose head master, Hugh Brady, a remarkable teacher, prepared his pupils to win places in the British Civil Service. After a primary education the father took young 'Pat' into his store in Abbey Street as a "grocer's curate". Brady thought so highly of 'Pat' that he approached my grandfather, James Costello, to rescue him from such a life. Grandfather spoke to James Clune, and as a result bought the boy a pony and trap to take him each day to the minor seminary, Springfield College, Ennis. After three years study he went to All Hallows where he was ordained on 24 June 1885, at the early age of 22. Goulburn was the diocese of adoption where he gave service from the end of 1886 to 1893. Assistant at Cootamundra, Administrator at the Cathedral, and Professor of English at St. Patrick's College, — were among the roles he filled as a diocesan. He answered a call to be a Redemptorist in 1893 and was professed on 3 September 1894. From 1894 to 1899 he led a busy life in giving missions in England and Ireland. The Southern Hemisphere called again, this time to the Perth House where he was Rector and remained until 1905. Thence to Wellington where he had the task of supervising the building of the beautiful St. Gerard's Chapel. And many more assignments were to come his way. On 17 March 1911 he was consecrated Bishop of Perth by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, and in 1913 was created Metropolitan and first Archbishop. As Deputy Chaplain General to the A.I.F. he went overseas in 1916, visiting France, Belgium and Egypt where the action was. He was negotiator between the British Cabinet and the Irish leaders in 1920, Apostolic Administrator of the Geraldton Diocese from 1926 to 1930. The total of all these assignments in the Redemptorist Order (first Superior of the Perth foundation, first also in Wellington) and in the bishopric makes P.J. one of Australia's great ecclesiastics, and certainly one of the most outstanding orators and preachers that Australia has known. "Best loved member of the Episcopate in Australia" was the verdict of Archbishop Killian in preaching the panegyric at his Requiem in May 1935...
But may I reminisce on the warm character of the man himself. One story illustrates the range and appeal of his golden voice. At a mission in County Kerry in 1898 with three other Fathers, he met a woman on visitation and asked how she liked the mission. "Ah sure, 'tis grand and that Father Clune, yerra, he has a vice that would gine through you". While in Goulburn he was associated with Father Michael Phelan, later a Jesuit and distinguished author, and a brother of Bishop Patrick Phelan of Sale (1913-1925). When the ailing bishop arrived in Fremantle on his way to Ireland, his condition was so serious that Dr. Clune accompanied him as far as Colombo. Sydney's 'Catholic Press' acclaimed this as an "exquisite act of courtesy".
Both young priests, P.J. and Michael Phelan, greatly enjoyed the whimsical ways and moods of Bishop William Lanigan. The Bishop forbade them to smoke in his house, so the pair transferred their pipes to the outside toilet but Lanigan even objected to this. When both of them decided to join religious orders, the Bishop took Fr. Clune on a tour of the parishes, so as to bribe with future parish prospects. "And as for that fellow Phalen, he'll be no loss for he's filling the house with rocks". (Fr. Phelan had been collecting specimens for his class in geology).
While teaching at St. Patrick's College Fr. Clune caught the love of letters which ripened with the years as he listened to Dr. John Gallagher enthuse over the classics. A Professor of Classics at Sydney University considered Gallagher "the Mahaffy of Australia", the famous Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, who seemed to have all the classical lore of Ireland in his head.
One of my best friends, the late John Wallace Durack, to whom I dedicated my story of the Durack Trek from Cooper's Creek, Queensland, to the Kimberleys of W.A., "Ramblers from Clare" (1936), was a student of Dr. John's and as we walked the fairways of the Royal Perth he quoted Horace's Odes and Latin tags from Livy. When 'Johnny' heard that Bishop Lanigan was coming to the College, he plucked his bushy eye brows, grabbed his Homer and escaped into the bush exclaiming in his clipped North of Ireland accent: "Lord, save me from that man".
On his first visit to his native Clare after becoming Archbishop in 1913, he stayed with Bishop Fogarty in Ennis. My mother invited him to call at our home in O'Connell Square, which he did. I had finished my first year at the University College, Dublin, and was excited by the prospect of meeting an Archbishop. As he entered the living room he saw a large photo of my grand-father, James Costello. "Oh! I know that face, for were it not for his advice and help I would never have become a priest". When I had left the room my mother told the Archbishop of her hopes that I had a vocation. She assured him that I was not the demure youth that I just then appeared to be, but a bright and gay youth. The Archbishop smiled and said he understood. I was brought back and asked if I would go to All Hallows as a possible candidate for the Perth Archdiocese. I said that I'd give it a trial; and so like many other priests I owe my chance to study for the priesthood to a mother's prayers and encouragement.
In 1910 he preached his famous panegyric on King Edward VII which the citizens of Perth had printed in gold type and sent to Queen Alexandra. But his Jubilee sermon on Archbishop Redwood at Wellington in 1924 was considered by many to be his best oration. He often reminded young priests that there was a sermon in every text of scripture, were we to meditate on it. I still have some of his sermon note-books, with always a blank page where new adjectives and turn of phrases were added. No doubt the press eulogy on his King Edward VII eulogy was merited: "a masterpiece of exquisite diction and finished oratory ..."
He loved the company of priests. We young priests at the Cathedral never wished to go out at night, for there was always something to do and enjoy at home. His Grace gathered us round him to play cards or delight with his reminiscences. On his anniversary on St. Patrick's Day he was in his element, a perfect host who delighted in dispensing his hospitality. He visited his sick priests with a great concern, and when one died he mourned him as a father would his son. Often his fatherly heart would betray itself in a funeral sermon. What he said was apt and appealing, giving a human picture that portrayed the personality of the deceased. His whole reign was pastoral and gentle.
The Archbishop's final wish was that he should be buried in the Redemptorist plot at the Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth. He, who had raised St. Mary's Cathedral by herculean efforts, had the double right as Archbishop and builder to be laid to rest within the Cathedral. Instead he wished that his remains should lie among the humble crosses of the priests and brothers of the Redemptorist Monastery.
He died on 24 May, 1935, leaving the burdens of office to Dr. Raymund Prendiville who had been his Coadjutor since 1933. The citizens of Perth lined the streets, in spite of heavy rain, to pay tribute to a public figure they admired so much. A Murdoch tribute appeared next day in the 'West Australian': "For Dr. Clune was never the austere recluse who sought to take advantage of his high place, and to shroud himself in monastic calm, unapproached and unapproachable. On the contrary, his conception of the duties of his office, his keen sense of responsibility led him to make himself known, as did the Founder of his faith, to all sorts and conditions of men, and to interest himself especially in the affairs of the poor and needy".
The ecumenical spirit which we have learned to appreciate and strive for in our time, certainly belonged to Patrick Joseph Clune.
(These notes were compiled in the main by Monsignor McMahon, South Perth).
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 6)