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 Anthony Cantwell Papps
Biography:

Early Life

Anthony Papps was born at North Adelaide on February 26 1954, the third child of George and Patricia Papps (nee Cantwell).

His primary education commenced at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, and he completed his secondary education at Christian Brothers College in Adelaide, matriculating in 1971. From an early age he expressed a desire to become a priest, and so he began his training for the priesthood at St Francis Xavier Seminary, Rostrevor and he was ordained in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral on February 9 1978.

Appointments

His first appointment on January 21 1979 was as Assistant Priest at Morphett Vale.

In February 1981 he was elected as a member of the Senate of Priests as a representative of the Southern Region. He continued until September 1983 when he was appointed Parish Priest of Pinnaroo.

In January 1988 he was appointed Parish Priest of Hallett Cove. This was a rather new parish and Fr Tony left his mark here with the building of Martin de Porres Church and presbytery. He developed lasting bonds with this parish and its people, so much so that this is where he expressed his wish for his funeral to be celebrated.

While at Hallett Cove he was also appointed a member of the Council of Priests. Throughout his ministry he had a significant influence on the life of the diocese in the various positions he held. He undertook some further study, completing a Diploma in Education. In January 1996 he was appointed part time Director of the Priests Continuing Education Committee and an ex officio member of the Council of Priests. He also served on the national committee for the Further Education of Priests.

In April 1996 he took up took the position as Parish Priest of Kapunda. But his term at Kapunda was cut short when in September 1997 he given approval to move on loan to Darwin Diocese where he served as Vicar General.

On his return in January 2001 he was appointed Parish Priest of Aberfoyle Park.

Around this time Fr Tony began to experience a number of health issues. So at the beginning of 2004 he took up a part time position as Consultant in Faith Formation at the Catholic Education Office. At the same time he was appointed Priest Assisting in the parish of Colonel Light Gardens, Goodwood and Kingswood. He retired from the Catholic Education Office in 2018 but continued to celebrate Mass in what became the Emmaus parish.

For more than 25 years he was a member of a priests' fraternity group. In October 2010 he attended the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Rome.

Fr Tony enjoyed reading, watching sport, doing crosswords and he also leant to play the guitar. He was also very attached to his pet dog, Pepper.

He died in Flinders Private Hospital on February 18 2020.

According to his wishes, his Funeral Mass was celebrated at Hallett Cove on February 28. His long time friend from school days at CBC, Fr Dean Marin spoke of the many times they holidayed together, travelling to various parts of Australia and overseas. Referring to Fr Tony's health struggles, Fr Dean acknowledged the wonderful support Tony received from his family as well as many long standing friends from the various parishes where he served.

Fr Tony lived and worked as a priest for 41 years. He is remembered as a gentle, quietly spoken man, with a quick wit and a quirky sense of humour. His fond saying when parting was "Go gently".

May he now go gently to rest in peace.

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