Pioneer of the Catholic Church Rosemary Goldie Dies Aged 94

Katrina Lee, Director, Catholic Communications
1 Mar 2010

One of the leading lay figures in the Australian Catholic Church and the first woman to hold a post in the Roman Curia, Rosemary Goldie, died at the weekend.

While many in the Church and the laity are sad at her passing they are also celebrating her remarkable life.

During her 50 years in Rome as a Church bureaucrat, Rosemary achieved many "firsts".

She was appointed an auditor for the last two periods of Vatican II (1964-1965).

In 1966 she was appointed Under-Secretary of the Council for the Laity and went on to become Vice-President and Professor of Lay Apostolate in the Pastoral Institute of the Lateran University.

She eventually returned to Australia but retained an active interest in the life and development of the lay apostolate.

Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell said; "Rosemary Goldie made a huge contribution to the Church and was a great champion of the Catholic laity.

"She had enormous drive and commitment and worked tirelessly for the laity and the role women could play in the Church."

Dr Michael Costigan, a close friend for more than 60 years, said; "She was always very knowledgeable and no matter how busy she was with her work at the Curia, she always had time to talk with seminarians and others in the Church."

During his visit to Australia for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI visited Rosemary Goldie at the Little Sisters of the Poor at Randwick as well as 84-year old Cardinal Edward Clancy, the seventh Archbishop of Sydney.

A Requiem Mass for Rosemary Goldie will be held on Friday at 10.30am at the Chapel of the Little Sisters of the Poor at Mount St. Joseph's Home in Randwick.

Chief celebrant and a friend of many years will be Monsignor William Mullins.

Archbishop Cardinal Pell will be presiding and if health permits both Cardinal Edward Clancy and Cardinal Edward Cassidy hope to attend.