Former Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby dies

The former long-serving Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, John Bathersby, has died after a long struggle with dementia, aged 83.

Former Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby during his last service at St Stephen’s Cathedral in December 2011. Picture: Peter Wallis

FORMER Brisbane Archbishop Emeritus John Bathersby is being remembered as a caring and happy man with a love of the great outdoors and a great sense of humour.

Archbishop Bathersby died peacefully on Monday morning in what was described as a “merciful act” following a long struggle with dementia. He was 83.

A funeral service will be held next Monday at the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane.

There will be a vigil at 5.30pm on Sunday ahead of the funeral.

Archbishop John Bathersby has died, aged 83.

Filling the role vacated by Archbishop Bathersby in 1992, Cairns Bishop James Foley said his predecessor was a well-liked man who made friends easily.

“John in his own quiet way was a visionary. But he was a man who had his feet firmly on the ground and had an endearing humanity and great sense of humour,” he said.

“But his last couple of years was very sad … he really did go into serious decline, into dementia and it was really quite sad. (Because) he was always very astute and spiritually gifted. It was very merciful … people were just amazed how he kept going until this morning (Monday).”

Archbishop John Bathersby during his last service at St Stephens in 2011. Picture: Peter Wallis

The Brisbane Archbishop of 20 years was born in Stanthorpe in 1936 to John Thomas, a shopkeeper and publican at the Country Club Hotel, and Grace Maud Bathersby.

Bishop Foley said it was always his wish to be buried on home soil.

“But he is not going to get much say in that because there is a crypt where archbishops are buried in Brisbane, poor old John is not going to get his final wish.”

Current Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge. Picture: Liam Kidston

Archbishop Emeritus Bathersby was the Archbishop of Brisbane from December 1991 to November 2011.

The role was then taken by current Archbishop Mark Coleridge.