Fr Bernard Scott died peacefully today, 21 July 2009 at around 1.00 pm in Ryde Hospital where he had been for several weeks, with ever increasing illness.

Bernie was approaching his 76th birthday.  He was in his 58th year of vocation, and had just completed fifty years of priestly ministry, although, much to his regret, he was prevented by illness from joining in celebrating this with his confreres, family and many friends at Marsfield last Sunday (19 July).

He was born in Ashfield in 1933, and educated there; firstly at St Vincent’s Primary School, and then at De La Salle College, Ashfield, gaining his Leaving Certificate in 1950. 

He joined the Vincentians at Joseph’s Seminary, Eastwood in November 1951, and was ordained to the Priesthood on 18 July 1959 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. 

He left for Rome almost immediately after ordination, and pursued his studies at the University of St Thomas (the Angelicum), where he was awarded a Doctorate in Theology in 1962. 

On his return to Australia, he commenced lecturing in Seminaries, and he was to remain in this apostolate for the next twenty-five years:  at St Joseph’s Seminary, Eastwood from September 1962 until the end of 1966, and again from June 1969 to December 1970; at St Francis Xavier’s Seminary, Rostrevor from  early 1967 until June 1969, and finally at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (New Zealand) where he was the Rector in the years 1971 to 1978. 

He was never to return to Seminary teaching. He served as Parish Priest of Wandal from 1978 to 1981 after which he was the Parish Priest of Malvern (1982-1987), a member of the Parish Renewal Team in 1988, Assistant Priest at Southport in 1989, and Parish Priest of Ashfield (1996-1997). 

Bernie also served as Director of the Daughters of Charity (1990-1995), and as a Provincial  Consultor (1994-1999). 

Increasing ill health dogged him for the last twelve years, but this did not deter him from taking on supply work in parishes which he continued to do until his failing health forced him to retire completely. 

Bernie will be remembered for many things, but particularly for the kindness and concern that he showed to all those whom he so generously served in his fifty years of priesthood. 

We extend our condolences to his brother Gerald, to his sisters Ellen and Noreen, and to his many relatives and friends, as we assure them of our prayerful support. 

The details of Bernie’s funeral are yet to be arranged, but  the funeral Mass will be held at St Anthony’s Church, Marsfield.

(Biography  provided by Fr Greg Cooney CM, Provincial News and Info   #7/2009, July 21, 2009)

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