Former Adelaide YCW chaplain, Archbishop Len Faulkner, emeritus of Adelaide Archdiocese and of Townsville diocese died on Sunday 6 May, 2018 at the age of 91.
“Archbishop Len, as he liked to be called was a tremendous supporter of the YCW,” said Stefan Gigacz from the Cardijn Institute in Melbourne.
“He was proud to say that his episcopal ring was made of the YCW logo.”
“When the Australian bishops had doubts about the YCW during the 1970s, he did not hesitate to back the movement, telling his colleagues that it was a ‘prophetic movement’.”
“Later in 1991, he gave his full backing to the hosting of the International YCW World Council in Adelaide, despite the fact that the Holy See had derecognised the movement only two years before.
“Although he did not always agree with the movement’s decisions, he never wavered in his support,” Stefan Gigacz recalled.
The eldest of 10 children, Archbishop Len was born in Booleroo Centre in the southern Flinders Ranges on December 5, 1926, and after entering the seminary at Rostrevor was ordained a priest on January 1, 1950, in Rome, The Southern Cross reports.
He was appointed Bishop of Townsville on November 28, 1967, and on June 19, 1985, he was installed as the seventh Archbishop of Adelaide where he continued his commitment to, and support of, the lay people as a critical part of the life of the Church.
Archbishop Len established Adelaide’s Diocesan Pastoral Team which gave lay women a role in governance, and pioneered a unique model of neighbourhood communities based on the Second Vatican Council’s challenge that the Church be one that looks outward to the community.
He was passionately involved in ecumenical and interfaith initiatives, support for migrants and refugees, Aboriginal communities, the YCW particularly as well as all the Cardijn movements.
During the AIDS epidemic, he demonstrated his bold and compassionate leadership by establishing the Diocesan AIDS Council and an extensive volunteer program to support those affected.
FULL STORY
Catholics mourn the death of Archbishop Faulkner (The Southern Cross)
RELATED COVERAGE
Retired Adelaide Archbishop Leonard Faulkner dies at 91 (The Advertiser)
Catholics mourn the death of Archbishop Faulkner (Adelaide Archdiocese)
VIDEO
Interview with Archbishop Len Faulkner 2014 (Stefan Gigacz)
