Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 18:
Father Giuseppe Pompeo

Giuseppe Pompeo was born in the ancient hill-town of Ferentino in the province of Frosinone, about 65 kilometres south-east of Rome, Italy, circa 1844. He was the son of Ambrose Pompei, a local merchant.

It is likely that he was a teacher after ordination to the priesthood.(1) He arrived in Moreton Bay on 11 September 1871. Suffering from tuberculosis it was hoped that the climate might benefit his health. He travelled on the Polmaise, leaving England on 10 June with five other priests - Fathers Tendozzi, Ricci, Antonini, Francis and Robert Dunham.(2) Bishop Quinn, in Europe for the First Vatican Council, had enlisted these priests for his young diocese. Eight months later the Bishop arrived home with more priests for his mission.

Dr Cani who administered the diocese during the bishop’s absence sent Fr Pompeo to Nanango to minister in the Burnett. Fr Pompeo celebrated Mass at Tarong station and in the Burnett Inn at Nanango. Archbishop Polding had celebrated Mass there during his visit in 1858. In 1871 Fr Pompeo celebrated the Christmas Mass for a large congregation. The following day he celebrated a baptism.(3) By early December Fr Romani, another Italian priest who had arrived six months prior to Fr Pompeo joined him on the mission.(4) Fr Pompeo’s health was deteriorating.

However from the start of 1872 his illness was severe and he was brought back to Brisbane. No doubt after consultation with (Dr) O’Doherty, Bishop Quinn (sic) sent him to Cleveland to Cassim’s Hotel which prided itself on being a help to invalids. It was not to be and Pompeo died on 5 July 1872. The funeral was held the following Sunday afternoon in the little Saint Stephen’s Cathedral after which the burial took place in the Paddington cemetery. It is likely that Cassim attended since Cassim was known for his generosity to the clergy and would never take anything from them for board and lodging.(5)

Dr Cani who sent Pompeo to Cleveland as Bishop Quinn did not arrive back in Brisbane until 24 May 1872. But the bishop had returned in time to officiate at Fr Pompeo’s funeral at St Stephen’s Church and his burial in the Paddington cemetery on 6 July. Johnny Cassim was a Mauritian ex-convict who gained a reputation as one of the most respected members of the Cleveland and Stradbroke Island communities.

Father Pompeo was one the three priests buried in the old Paddington cemetery before the opening of Nudgee Catholic cemetery. No memorials to these three priests were discovered there when the old cemetery became Lang Park. On 10 January 2002 a memorial to these three - William Bowe, Patrick O’Grady and Giuseppe Pompeo - was blessed in Nudgee Catholic Cemetery by Bishop John Gerry.(6) Also buried in that cemetery was a former priest, who had left and married and became a barrister. He was reconciled with the Church before his death by Bishop Quinn who officiated at his burial at Paddington.

A photograph of this memorial appears on page 12, in connection with story of Fr Patrick O’Grady.

Footnotes
1. Brian Grenier CFC, Padre Guiseppe Pompeo 1844-1872, p. 1 – BAA.
2. Ibid, p. 2.
3. Patrick J Tynan, The Apostle of Brisbane Joseph Canali, 1989, p. 32.
4. Brian Grenier, op. cit., p. 3.
5. Patrick J Tynan, Johnny Cassim, 2005, p. 82.
6. Catholic Leader, 27 Jan 2002, p. 1.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.