07 Dec 2020
Priest of the People
The Southern Cross | Fr Bob Wilkinson
The Southern Cross | 7 December 2020
From serving as editor of The Southern Cross to being amongst the people in parishes and neighbourhood communities, Fr Bob Wilkinson has been an effective and respected communicator over his 65 years in the priesthood.
While Fr Bob Wilkinson has had to adapt to significant changes in society and the Church since his ordination in 1955, one aspect that has remained constant throughout his ministry has been his enduring love of people.
A good communicator and listener, he has provided support for people from all walks of life and faith backgrounds, as they struggle in times of sorrow or celebrate in times of joy. Generous with his time, he is respected for his sincerity and compassion, his great storytelling abilities and a wicked sense of humour.
“It’s been a great life…and the whole of that 65 years has been dedicated to linking faith and life,” he told The Southern Cross during a COVID-safe coffee catch up.
“My drive has always been trying to transform the Church as having more dynamic participation by people.
“Pope Francis is inspiring. His approach to life is starting from what is happening in the world – the first vocation is to be human and it is home, work and society that is the great human reality. The Church is called to serve that and it needs to be constantly interacting with society.”
Reflecting on his life, the spritely 87-year-old said it was symbolic that it had now gone “full circle”. He began attending church in Kingswood and completed Grade 1 at the adjacent St Joseph’s. Many decades later he is back assisting in the Emmaus parish and living at the presbytery in Kingswood.