Oratory Father Andrew Wise dies, remembered for his spiritual guidance and ‘unwavering friendship in Christ’ by Joe Higgins, Catholic Leader, 10 September 2025, https://catholicleader.com.au/news/oratory-father-andrew-wise-dies-remembered-for-his-spiritual-guidance-and-unwavering-friendship-in-christ/, accessed 19 October 2025:

Brisbane Oratory Father Andrew Wise died yesterday afternoon aged 64 after a long period of ill health.

Oratory in Formation moderator Fr Adrian Sharp said as one of the founding members of the Oratory community, Fr Wise would be missed.

“The many comments that people are posting following the announcement of his death are testament to the esteem in which he was held by many,” he said.

“He was a help to many people as a trained spiritual director and his homilies were particularly appreciated by people.”

Fr Wise was ordained to the priesthood in St Mary’s Cathedral Sale, Victoria in 1987.

He gained a wide range of pastoral experience as an assistant and parish priest in both country and large outer suburban parishes.

He served as dean of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sale for four years between 2011 and 2015.

He has also served in diocesan and wider Church capacities including Reserve RAAF chaplaincy and as an inaugural board member of Catholic Care in the Diocese of Sale.

He also served as a board member of the Catholic Development Fund for nine years.

He chaired the Diocese of Sale Education, Finance and Audit Committee for a number of years.

Fr Wise was a member of the College of Consultors and the Council of Priests for the Diocese of Sale.

He was also a national executive member and treasurer of the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy.

Fr Wise was also active in the ministry of spiritual direction since 1998.

In Brisbane, he served as parish priest of Annerley Ekibin parish.

He was also the chaplain to the Frassati Fraternity and Flores Teresianes.

A message from vicar general Fr Peter Dillon said Fr Wise would be “affectionately remembered in these communities and across the archdiocese and was much loved by his family and many friends”.

“May he rest in peace and experience the eternal presence of Christ he has both loved and served,” he said.

Tributes have flowed for Fr Wise from members of his community.

“… His homilies were always on point,” one member said.

“They were routinely infused with Catholic teaching and spirituality.

“Listening to them one was in no doubt about the difficult spiritual battle that is going around us and in the world today.

“I am in no doubt that the Brisbane Catholic community and the Church-at-large has lost a great priest and a great shepherd.”

Another member of the community said: “Fr Andrew Wise impacted the spiritual and temporal lives of all who crossed his path”.

“As father, confessor, spiritual director and priest he was a man of virtue, committed to his calling, and unwavering in his friendship with Christ,” they said.

“His ministry and humour, his kindness and his correction will be remembered with fondness. May he rest in peace.”

Funeral details will be announced in the coming days.

---

Death notice, Courier-Mail, Brisbane, 16 September 2025:

Wise, Fr Andrew Stewart
Priest of the Brisbane Oratory in Formation.
Formerly of the Diocese of Sale.
Passed away, 9th September 2025.

Loved son of Martin & Pamela (d), brother to Christopher, Robert, Timothy, and their families.

Relatives, friends and parishioners are invited to the Funeral Rites for Fr Andrew. Reception of Father's body to Mary Immaculate Church, Annerley, on Thursday 18th September at 6.45 p.m. with Vespers for the dead at 7.00 p.m. Matins & Lauds for the Dead on Friday, 19th September at 8.30 a.m. at Mary Immaculate Church, Annerley, followed by Solemn High Requiem Mass at 10.30 a.m. Interment at Nudgee Cemetery after Mass.

In lieu of flowers sent to the church, donations to St John Henry Newman Collage in Fr Andrew's memory are appreciated.

07/01/1961 - 09/09/2025