Vale Archbishop Francis Carroll
14 March, 2024
Archbishop Francis ‘Frank’ Carroll: A Life Remembered
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Archbishop Francis Carroll, a beloved figure within the Catholic Church and the local community at large. Archbishop Carroll, affectionately known as Father Frank, passed away peacefully this morning at Calvary Hospital. His passing marks the end of an era for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, the diocese of Wagga Wagga and the broader Church in Australia.
Archbishop Carroll’s health had been in decline since undergoing a serious operation at Wagga Base Hospital last week. He was transferred to Calvary Hospital Wagga Wagga where he received excellent end of life care. While Archbishop Frank’s absence from public life may have led him to slip from the forefront of people’s minds, his impact on the diocese and beyond remains indelible.
Born in 1930 to the Carroll family in Ganmain, Archbishop Frank’s life was deeply intertwined with the Catholic faith and the local community. Totally immersed in the faith life of the parish, his schooling, family and the football life of the local community, he remained very much a Ganmain man.
Ordained as a priest in 1954, he served in various capacities, including as the first Director of Catholic Education in the Wagga Wagga Diocese.
At the age of 37, Archbishop Carroll was ordained as coadjutor bishop for Bishop Henschke, later assuming the role of Bishop of Wagga Wagga. Throughout his tenure, he demonstrated a commitment to innovation in pastoral care, seeking new ways to engage with societal changes without compromising the essence of Catholic tradition.
In 1983, he was appointed Archbishop of the Canberra and Goulburn Diocese, where he continued to lead with wisdom and compassion until his retirement in 2006. Even in retirement, Archbishop Frank remained an active presence, residing at the Home of Compassion in his final years.
Archbishop Carroll’s legacy extends far beyond his tenure in office. His pastoral letters, written during his time in Wagga and Canberra, continue to resonate today, a testament to his enduring influence and insight.
As we mourn the loss of Archbishop Francis Carroll, let us also celebrate his remarkable life and the profound impact he had on all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the entire Catholic community during this time of grief.
CARROLL
Most Reverend Francis Patrick DD DCL
9 September 1930 – 14 March 2024
Died peacefully at Calvary Hospital,
Wagga Wagga
Former Bishop
Diocese of Wagga Wagga
[1968 – 1983]
Apostolic Administrator
Diocese of Wagga Wagga
[2001-2002]
Archbishop Emeritus
Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn
[1983 – 2006]
Son of the late Patrick and Rose Carroll
Dear brother and brother-in-law of
Rose & Tony Suckling (both Dec’d),
Barry (Dec’d), Kathleen & Allan Steele (Dec’d),
Lelia, Peter and Paul
Loved uncle and great uncle of his many nieces and nephews
Vigil Gathering
St Brendan’s Church, Ganmain, to be held on
Tuesday 19th March 2024 at 5:30pm
Solemn Mass
A Solemn Pontifical Mass for the
Repose of the Soul of Archbishop Carroll
will be held at
St Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga on
Wednesday 20th March 2024 at 11:00am
Burial
Burial will take place in the crypt of
St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra,
following the Pontifical Requiem Mass
to be held there on
Thursday 21st March 2024 at 11:00am