Hundreds farewell Fr Michael Tate during moving ceremony

By Catherine Sheehan

During a moving Requiem Mass on 16 June, Fr Michael Tate AO was given a final farewell by hundreds of mourners who filled St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart to overflowing.

Fr Tate’s family were present, as well as a multitude of friends and acquaintances that he made during his 80 years, hailing from many walks of life—academia, the political world, and the Catholic community, to name just a few.

Fr Tate died on 5 June at Calvary Hospital in Lenah Valley, at the age of 80. Born in Sydney but raised and educated in Hobart, he achieved much as a legal academic, federal politician, diplomat, and finally as a Catholic priest.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Ireland and concelebrated by Bishop Mark Freeman of Ballarat, and many priests of the Archdiocese of Hobart.

In attendance was Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Opposition Leader Josh Willie, former Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker, Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers, Leader of the Greens Rosalie Woodruff, as well as many other former and currently serving politicians.

“Many knew him as a priest, pastor, scholar, teacher, diplomat, advocate, pilgrim, and visionary,” Archbishop Ireland said in his homily.

“Others knew him simply as Michael: a friend, a companion, a conversation partner whose curiosity seemed inexhaustible.

“Michael’s personal generosity was not trumpeted but it was experienced here and overseas. Many people received help from Michael and never spoke about it publicly because Michael himself never spoke about it publicly. He simply saw a need and responded.”

Archbishop Ireland spoke of Fr Tate’s impact on the local community in Hobart.

“Everywhere one looks in the South Hobart parish one finds traces of Michael’s imagination and faith. The renewed hall. The beautiful images of Franciscan life that he brought from Assisi. The Buenos Aires Apartments established in the former school. The Camino to Cygnet. Even his final dream — helping people discover not merely environmental responsibility but a spirituality of creation inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi.”

At the beginning of the ceremony Fr Tate’s casket was processed into the Cathedral draped in the Australia flag, fitting for a man who served his country in many capacities, and who was honoured with an Order of Australia.

The white pall representing the baptismal garment was then placed over the coffin by members of Fr Tate’s family.

Vicar General Fr Shammi Perera placed symbols of Fr Tate’s priesthood—the stole and chalice—on the coffin.

Throughout the liturgy some of Fr Tate’s favourite pieces of music were performed and sung—’Gabriel’s Oboe’, ‘Cosmic Praise’ (‘Sing A New Song’), ‘Ubi Caritas’, ‘Be Thou My Vision’, ‘Ave Verum’, and ‘In Faith and Hope and Love’.

In her eulogy, Fr Tate’s niece, Monica Biddington spoke with affection of her uncle who always remained in close contact with family throughout his life.

“Michael would have been deeply moved to see our gathering here at St Mary’s,” she said. “Thank you for being here to celebrate Michael’s life.”

“A strong theme of Michael’s life, both professional and personal, was curiosity. On a daily basis, across every career, Michael would be continuously learning, teaching and sharing his knowledge. His story-telling skills were second to none.

“As a child, I knew little and understood less about Michael’s public life. It was years before I came to understand the weight of Michael’s work and his constant conviction for the betterment of those he served—his family, his students, his constituents, his country, and his parish.”

Professor Jeffrey McGee from the University of Tasmania spoke of the four main roles Fr Tate played during his lifetime, that of academic, politician, diplomat, and priest.

“It reads almost like four different lives,” Professor McGee said. “But anyone who knew Michael, knew it was in truth one life, with one thread quietly running through it from the very beginning. A life of warmth and service to others.”

“Wherever he served Michael brought the same gifts that had marked his earlier life, a powerful intellect, a remarkable ability to communicate with people from all walks of life, a keen sense of humour, and a warmth that came from genuinely loving his people.”

Mr John Kelly from Hobart City Council described Fr Tate as “unconventional”.

“Whilst I could speak and laugh for hours with Fr Michael, he was clearly on a greater intellectual and spiritual level to myself,” Mr Kelly said.

“There are very few people who in their chosen life reach the top of their game and who can remain connected in a genuine way, as Michael did, with all his community, the young, the old, the sick, the marginalised, the homeless.

“He could walk with kings and not lose the common touch, he practised what he preached long before he became a priest. And he stood by his St Virgil’s College motto, ‘deeds, not words alone’.”

At the conclusion of Mass, Archbishop Ireland incensed the coffin, sprinkled it with Holy Water, and prayed the final Prayer of Commendation, before it was carried out of the Cathedral in procession.

“He walked many roads,” Archbishop Ireland said. “The roads of priesthood, scholarship, diplomacy, politics, parish life, friendship, and service. Some roads were smooth. Some were difficult. Some led him across continents. Others led him deep into the hearts of people.

“And every pilgrimage ultimately seeks one destination: the Father’s house.

“Today our final word is not grief, nor is it accomplishment, nor even memory.

“Our final word is Christ.

“Fr Michael Tate, pastor, mentor and friend to so many, as you walk through those gates, we wish you, ‘Buen Camino’ and pray that you may rest today and for ever in peace. Amen.”