Former Archbishop Leonard Faulkner farewelled at Adelaide funeral service

FORMER Adelaide Catholic Archbishop Leonard Faulkner has been remembered by up to 1300 faithful as a humble man in life — and one that stopped inner-city traffic in death.

Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson leads the service for the funeral of retired Adelaide Archbishop Leonard Faulkner at St Francis Xavier's Catholic Cathedral. Picture: Calum Robertson

• Retired Archbishop Leonard Faulkner dies 91
• A genuine soul who touched the hearts of many

FORMER Adelaide Catholic Archbishop Leonard Faulkner has been remembered by up to 1300 faithful as a humble man in life who stopped inner city traffic in death.

More than 90 priests processed into a guard of honour across Wakefield St on Monday before the funeral cortege made its way to West Tce cemetery — the final resting place of the 91-year-old retired Archbishop who died on May 6.

Hundreds of people — including 14 bishops from across the nation — lined Wakefield St to say goodbye, spilling from a standing-room only St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral where earlier a message of condolence and apostolic blessing was relayed from Catholic world leader Pope Francis.

Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson, who is awaiting a verdict later this month on a charge of concealing child sex abuse, led the service.

The funeral procession for retired Adelaide Archbishop Leonard Faulkner makes its way to West Tce Cemetery after the service at St Francis Xavier's Catholic Cathedral. Picture: Calum Robertson

Archbishop Wilson said Archbishop Faulkner was a dedicated and faithful servant of the church who died in a “peaceful way”.

Archbishop Faulkner’s niece, Louise Faulkner, said her uncle “would have been humbled by this remembrance of his life”.

“He would have called it marvellous — that was his favourite word — I can hear him saying it now — a marvellous celebration not just of who he was but of the people he has gathered before him and the community he was a part of leading,” she said.

Nancy Altman, a friend of the Archbishop for more than 40 years, was among a crowd of about 300 watching the funeral service broadcast on a big screen at Mary MacKillop Plaza. The service was also streamed live online.

Archbishop Leonard Faulkner pictured in 1986.

“He was amazing — he never forgot a name, was gentle and absolutely accepting of all,” Ms Altman said.

Father Maurice Shinnick OAM said Archbishop Faulkner was a farm boy from Booleroo who carried his shoes to school to save the leather and politely declined the Order of Australia medal twice.

“The second time he wrote in reply: ‘how can I accept an honour for something I have always loved doing’,” Fr Shinnick said.

Archbishop Faulkner was ordained a priest in 1950. He worked as an assistant priest at Woodville Park, was a chaplain to the Young Christian Workers Movement and an administrator of the Cathedral before he became Bishop of Townsville in November 1967. Sixteen years later he returned to Adelaide and was installed Archbishop — a post he served until retirement in 2001.