His great legacy is perhaps his ability to deal with the disappointment of truncated dreams, which he has always done with stoic humour and profound acceptance, a great witness and example to those who followed in his footsteps.
Fr Bill Moran. Photo: St Columbans Missionary Society
Few celebrate a Diamond anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, but on July 23 Columban Fr Bill Moran will be looking back to that day of 60 years ago when he knelt before Archbishop Justin Simmonds at St Patrick’s Cathedral in his home city of Melbourne.
Growing up in Flemington with his sister Kay, Bill was struck by the political vitality of his parish and has vivid memories of the discussions among the parishioners after Sunday Masses, with the presence of Arthur Calwell, later to become leader of the Labour Party, adding spark.
However, after graduating from St Joseph’s College in North Melbourne, he forsook his interest in the political to follow the path of many a Catholic boy of his time into the public service, but with one eye on a secular career continued studies in economics and with the other on the priesthood kept up with Latin.
The priesthood won, bringing him to the Columban house in Essendon and later to Sydney. He was among the foundation group at the new seminary at North Turramurra and after ordination was sent to Rome for postgraduate studies in theology and scripture.
Bad health brought him back to Australia prematurely and after a stint in the Melbourne mission office he went back to his alma mater at North Turramurra, only this time not as a student, but as a member of staff.
After several years as rector of the seminary, in 1979 he had the opportunity to fulfil his long-held dream of being on mission overseas, heading off to Peru. At his already somewhat advanced age, Bill bravely took on the Spanish language, but the vicious climate of Lima played havoc with his health and he transferred to the more temperate climes of Chile.
Time spent in parish ministry in the city parishes of Santiago was further punctuated with work on revamping the Society constitutions and taking part in the organising and running of two worldwide Columban general council gatherings. Then in 1986, he was once again forced to return home due to ill health.
A few years as office coordinator in Wellington, New Zealand, saw a great improvement in his health and in 1990, he became the director of the region of Australia and New Zealand. Although not a charismatic leader, his profound respect for the abilities of others left them a broad playing field in applying their talent, making his years in leadership a time of advancement and life-giving dynamism.
However, ill-health continued to dog him and one further attempt to work in Chile suffered a premature demise.
Bill has spent his early sunset years where he began, working as a bursar in the Columban Mission Centre in Melbourne. But time to hang up the boots comes at some stage for most and with the agility of the body that once powered tennis balls to within inches of the baseline gone, he now lives quietly in retirement.
However, every stage of life has its delights and his lifelong interest in football received a shot in the arm when his great-nephew was chosen to play for the Western Bulldogs and every winter weekend is now highlighted by following his career.
The Columban community salutes Bill as he moves towards an anniversary of great note and will celebrate with thanksgiving for the wonderful contribution he has made to the lives of the many people he has touched in his ministry, as well as the joy and wisdom he has brought into the Missionary Society of St Columban.
His great legacy is perhaps his ability to deal with the disappointment of truncated dreams, which he has always done with stoic humour and profound acceptance, a great witness and example to those who followed in his footsteps.
Columban Fr Jim Mulroney resides in Essendon, Australia.
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Related links
- Read more from The Far East - July 2021
