Anselm Bourke
Encyclopedia
Mgr Anselm Bourke, born Nicholas Bourke, (Dublin, 10 September 1835 – West Perth
, 2 June 1924) was a Roman Catholic
priest of Irish
origins. He was prominent in Catholic education for several decades, and also founded the West Perth (now Northbridge) parish of the Church in 1901. He made his profession as a Benedictine monk in 1858, but got dispensation from his monastic vows from the Vatican in 1871; therefore, he cannot be called a Benedictine.
He was still studying to become a priest of the Benedictine
order when he arrived in Western Australia
on 24 May 1855 aboard the Lady Amhurst with the Spanish Benedictine Father José María Benito Serra OSB
-also known as Joseph Serra in Western Australia-, and several other clergymen, mostly Spaniards, but also Irish and French. He made his religious profession on 26 July 1858, and completed his education and was ordained in 1859.
In 1860, Bourke was appointed to teach at the Roman Catholic boys' schools at Fremantle
and Perth
, where he became known as an able scholar and teacher. In 1864, he was appointed the first parish priest of York
—prior to this, the parish had been administered by priests from Toodyay
and New Norcia
. He lived in simple quarters at the rear of the church and conducted Mass
every Sunday. During his time in York, he employed ten ticket of leave men, including three as teachers.
Returning to Perth in 1870, he became the chaplain of Fremantle Prison
, and taught at various schools. He got dispensation from his monastic vows on 30 April 4, 1871, but his name would still be the one he used in his profession, for which he was known in the Colony, not his birth one.
The troublesome years of Bourke, his erratic behaviour and apparent mental problems, his difficult disengagement from the Benedictines and from New Norcia, as well as his temporary exile from Western Australia, ignored by most scholars until now, are mentioned by Dr. Teresa De Castro.
In 1885, he became the first resident priest of the Vasse region at Busselton
. In 1889, on returning to Perth, he became Vicar General for Western Australia serving under Bishop Matthew Gibney
, and served voluntarily as New Norcia's agent in Perth, and canvassed the Government for a Roman Catholic representative on the Education Board.
He also became active in the debate over state aid to private schools, which had existed since 1871 and had become central to the public debate leading to the June 1894 elections in Western Australia. With the help of three Catholic members of the Legislative Assembly
, he founded the Education Defence League to lobby for the continuation of state aid. The normally mild-mannered priest caused some sensation at a public meeting prior to the election by suggesting violence would result if state aid were lifted. The battle was ultimately lost—the MPs who had supported him lost their seats at the election, and in late 1895 the Government passed a bill bringing the funding arrangement to an end.
In August 1894, he resigned as Vicar General, desiring to retire to New Norcia, but changed his mind thereafter, deciding that the number of Catholics arriving in Western Australia due to the gold rush and the cause of maintaining the private schools justified his continued presence. He became Chairman of the Education Board, a position which he held for a number of years. He was also a patron and benefactor of the Sisters of Mercy
and financed St Mary's in Leederville
and St Brigid's in West Perth
, apparently from his own funds. He became a Monsignor
in 1898 and the inaugural parish priest for West Perth in 1901, residing in the Presbytery of St Brigid's in Fitzgerald Street for the rest of his life. He also became involved with the foundation of the University of Western Australia
.
He died in West Perth
in 1924.
The Archives of New Norcia keeps an important group of letters addressed from Bourke to the superiors of the monastery, especially to Bishop Rosendo Salvado OSB
. Those offer a real portray of Bourke's personality, personal troubles, opinions and interests on relevant matters for his time. This information is completed by the many references to Bourke found in other letters kept in New Norcia Archives, especially in the correspondence between Bishop Martin Griver and Bishop Rosendo Salvado.
West Perth, Western Australia
West Perth is an inner suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It is part of the inner mixed zone, and has predominantly office blocks which have displaced residential buildings. There is a high proportion of miners and consultants, and particularly medical specialists, compared to...
, 2 June 1924) was a Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church in Australia
The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Pope.Australia is a majority Christian but pluralistic society with no established religion. There are approximately 5.1 million Australian Catholics . Catholicism...
priest of Irish
Irish Australian
Irish Australians have played a long and enduring part in Australia's history. Many came to Australia in the eighteenth century as settlers or as convicts, and contributed to Australia's development in many different areas....
origins. He was prominent in Catholic education for several decades, and also founded the West Perth (now Northbridge) parish of the Church in 1901. He made his profession as a Benedictine monk in 1858, but got dispensation from his monastic vows from the Vatican in 1871; therefore, he cannot be called a Benedictine.
He was still studying to become a priest of the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
order when he arrived in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
on 24 May 1855 aboard the Lady Amhurst with the Spanish Benedictine Father José María Benito Serra OSB
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
-also known as Joseph Serra in Western Australia-, and several other clergymen, mostly Spaniards, but also Irish and French. He made his religious profession on 26 July 1858, and completed his education and was ordained in 1859.
In 1860, Bourke was appointed to teach at the Roman Catholic boys' schools at Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
and Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, where he became known as an able scholar and teacher. In 1864, he was appointed the first parish priest of York
York, Western Australia
York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia, situated 97 km east of Perth in the Avon Valley near Northam, and is the seat of the Shire of York...
—prior to this, the parish had been administered by priests from Toodyay
Toodyay, Western Australia
Toodyay is a town located in the Wheatbelt region in the Avon Valley, 85 km north-east of Perth, Western Australia. Toodyay is connected to Perth via both rail and road.-History:...
and New Norcia
New Norcia, Western Australia
New Norcia is a town in Western Australia, north of Perth, along the Great Northern Highway. It is situated next to the banks of the Moore River, in the Shire of Victoria Plains.New Norcia is the only monastic town in Australia...
. He lived in simple quarters at the rear of the church and conducted Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
every Sunday. During his time in York, he employed ten ticket of leave men, including three as teachers.
Returning to Perth in 1870, he became the chaplain of Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison is a former Australian prison located in The Terrace, Fremantle, in Western Australia. The site includes the prison, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, tunnels, and prisoner art...
, and taught at various schools. He got dispensation from his monastic vows on 30 April 4, 1871, but his name would still be the one he used in his profession, for which he was known in the Colony, not his birth one.
The troublesome years of Bourke, his erratic behaviour and apparent mental problems, his difficult disengagement from the Benedictines and from New Norcia, as well as his temporary exile from Western Australia, ignored by most scholars until now, are mentioned by Dr. Teresa De Castro.
In 1885, he became the first resident priest of the Vasse region at Busselton
Busselton, Western Australia
-Growth and development:According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the Shire had a permanent resident population of 25,950 in 2004 with the town of Busselton accounting for 67% or 17,400 of the total. The Shire's permanent population is expected to continue to increase significantly to...
. In 1889, on returning to Perth, he became Vicar General for Western Australia serving under Bishop Matthew Gibney
Matthew Gibney
Bishop Matthew Gibney was born in November 1835 at Killeshandra, Cavan, Ireland. He studied for the priesthood at the preparatory seminary at Stillorgan and from 1857 at the Catholic Missionary College of All Hallows, Drumcondra, Dublin...
, and served voluntarily as New Norcia's agent in Perth, and canvassed the Government for a Roman Catholic representative on the Education Board.
He also became active in the debate over state aid to private schools, which had existed since 1871 and had become central to the public debate leading to the June 1894 elections in Western Australia. With the help of three Catholic members of the Legislative Assembly
Western Australian Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Perth....
, he founded the Education Defence League to lobby for the continuation of state aid. The normally mild-mannered priest caused some sensation at a public meeting prior to the election by suggesting violence would result if state aid were lifted. The battle was ultimately lost—the MPs who had supported him lost their seats at the election, and in late 1895 the Government passed a bill bringing the funding arrangement to an end.
In August 1894, he resigned as Vicar General, desiring to retire to New Norcia, but changed his mind thereafter, deciding that the number of Catholics arriving in Western Australia due to the gold rush and the cause of maintaining the private schools justified his continued presence. He became Chairman of the Education Board, a position which he held for a number of years. He was also a patron and benefactor of the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
and financed St Mary's in Leederville
Leederville, Western Australia
Leederville is a locality within the City of Vincent within the Perth metropolitan region of Western Australia.It is home to Aranmore Catholic College, The Schools of Isolated and Distance Education, Central Institute of Technology Leederville Campus and St Mary's Church.-External...
and St Brigid's in West Perth
West Perth, Western Australia
West Perth is an inner suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It is part of the inner mixed zone, and has predominantly office blocks which have displaced residential buildings. There is a high proportion of miners and consultants, and particularly medical specialists, compared to...
, apparently from his own funds. He became a Monsignor
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in 1898 and the inaugural parish priest for West Perth in 1901, residing in the Presbytery of St Brigid's in Fitzgerald Street for the rest of his life. He also became involved with the foundation of the University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
.
He died in West Perth
West Perth, Western Australia
West Perth is an inner suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It is part of the inner mixed zone, and has predominantly office blocks which have displaced residential buildings. There is a high proportion of miners and consultants, and particularly medical specialists, compared to...
in 1924.
The Archives of New Norcia keeps an important group of letters addressed from Bourke to the superiors of the monastery, especially to Bishop Rosendo Salvado OSB
Rosendo Salvado
Dom Rosendo Salvado Rotea OSB was a Benedictine monk, missionary, bishop, and bestselling author, as well as the founder and first Abbot of New Norcia, in Western Australia.-Early life:...
. Those offer a real portray of Bourke's personality, personal troubles, opinions and interests on relevant matters for his time. This information is completed by the many references to Bourke found in other letters kept in New Norcia Archives, especially in the correspondence between Bishop Martin Griver and Bishop Rosendo Salvado.