Mgr Brendan Padraig Pearse Bowler

The naming

Monsignor Brendan Padraig Pearse Bowler was born in Kent Town on June 1, 1921 of an Australian-born father and Irish-born mother, the first born of seven children. His mother was very much a supporter of the army of the Irish Republic. Padraig Pearse was a General in the said army and took a leading part in the 1916 Easter Monday uprising against the British.

Sadly, 16 of the rebel leaders were executed by the British after the rebels surrendered. The executions, however, sparked much sympathy for the rebels and great criticism of Britain.  There is no prize for guessing how Brendan got the extra Christian names of Padraig Pearse – especially when his year of birth, 1921, coincided with the signing of the treaty between the Irish and the British leaders.

Education and early life

Brendan received his early education from the Dominican Sisters at Cabra College, later attending Christian Brothers College in Wakefield Street and his final year at Rostrevor College.

In early 1942 at 16 years of age, he joined the Public Service to help his parents support his younger siblings. Four years later he was accepted as a candidate for the priesthood by Archbishop Beovich and was sent to Springwood Seminary in New South Wales to begin his Philosophy Studies, and then to St Patrick’s College Manly for his final four years study of Theology.

Brendan was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Beovich on July 28, 1948. After completing his final studies at Manly in December that year he returned to Adelaide and received his first appointment as an Assistant Priest in the Cathedral parish.

Double trouble

The previous year, Fr Leo Cronin was ordained a priest and was also Assistant Priest in the Cathedral parish. The two young priests being of similar build and general appearance, made it difficult for Archbishop to distinguish between them. Many parishioners also had to look twice to determine who was to be the celebrant at Mass at the Cathedral, especially as they both rode motorbikes at the time.

On September 1, 1951, Fr Brendan was appointed Assistant Chancellor. While continuing in this role he was also appointed assistant to the aging Monsignor James Aylward at Lower North Adelaide parish on January 1, 1954. In May 1954 he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese.

Around this time the growth of development in the Elizabeth area meant a new parish was created and Brendan was to be the first Parish Priest. In 1959 the Sisters of Mercy, with Sr Gertrude Pierce as superior, agreed to establish a Catholic primary school in Elizabeth. Brendan generously gave up the Trust Home he occupied to the Mercy Sisters and made the sacristy at St Mary Magdalene’s Church his home and parish office.

Appointment as chancellor

In October 1962, a new Parish Priest was appointed to Elizabeth and Fr Brendan became full time Chancellor, living back at West Terrace. The following year he received the Papal Honour of Domestic Prelate and in 1964 he was added to the group of Diocesan Consultors to the Archbishop. In 1967 he received a three-year appointment as a member of the first Senate of Priests. In 1970 he was granted long service leave for eight months holiday overseas. In January 1971 he was made Parish Priest of Semaphore while still remaining Chancellor, but with an assistant, Fr Kevin McLennan, who did most of the office work and who took over as Chancellor in May 1971. In 1976 and 1982 Brendan enjoyed two further overseas trips in the company of his close friend Monsignor Robert Aitken.

Final illness and death

Sickness struck in November 1988, which entailed major surgery and convalescence until May 1989. However, with improving health he continued as Parish Priest of Semaphore. He planned to retire on January 28, 1998 and reside at Dulwich where Mgr Aitken was then Parish Priest. But this was not to be, after some time at Mary Potter Hospice, North Adelaide, Brendan passed to his eternal reward on February 5, 1998.

To sum up Brendan’s character one would say he was not a generally a conversationalist, but on social occasions, enjoying a few drinks and convivial company, he became quite talkative.  He was a man of sterling qualities: honest, truthful, and hard working in every task he was given.

Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral on February 10, 1998 and his remains were laid to rest in Centennial Park Cemetery in his parents’ grave.

May he rest in peace.