Carroll House

Francis Patrick Carroll is retired Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, a former president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and former Bishop of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga. Born in Ganmain, NSW on 9 September 1930, he was the second of seven children of Patrick and Rose Carroll. He was ordained a priest in 1954 in Saint Brendan’s Church, Ganmain and served in Parishes at Griffith and Albury. He took the role of Assistant Diocesan Inspector of Schools and then Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga before Pope Paul VI appointed him Bishop of Wagga Wagga in 1968. He is remembered far and wide in the Diocese for his quiet dignity, attentiveness to his people and exceptional pastoral leadership.

 

In 1983 he was appointed Archbishop of Canberra, with his seat at St. Christopher’s Cathedral. He chose as his motto: ‘Nova et Vetera’ meaning ‘things both new and old’.

 

In 2006 Archbishop Carroll was awarded Australian Catholic University’s highest honour, Doctor of the University, in recognition of his tireless contribution to Catholic Education and the communities which he has served so well, and his unwavering commitment to ecumenism and interfaith relations. ACU National Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter W Sheehan recognised ‘….the humble and outstanding achievements of Francis Patrick Carroll. From the time of his ordination in 1954 he has given leadership and inspiration to all who have been his people. His work as priest, bishop and archbishop have been marked by a commitment to bringing the good news and hope to the people, balanced with a realistic awareness of the concerns of the modern world. Francis Carroll will always be remembered as one of the most significant forces in the development of Catholic education in Australia.’

 

Archbishop Carroll retired to Wagga Wagga in 2006. At a Mass celebrating the 40th anniversary of his ordination as a Bishop, he spoke of ’….the Church of the baptised where every member is equal in dignity; where everyone has gifts to build up the Christian community and where all without exception have the right and responsibility to participate in the life and mission of the Church according to their particular calling’.

 

Archbishop Carroll is deeply connected to the Church, land and people of this region and provides us with a fine example of a lived commitment to faith, relationship and learning. It is deeply significant that Archbishop Carroll has chosen to live his retirement years here in the city of Wagga Wagga.

 

The symbols on the Carroll House Crest are significant to Carroll House and our patron Archbishop Francis Patrick Carroll.

 

The background colour, Purple, the colour associated with the role of Archbishop Carroll in the Catholic church.

 

The white Chevron (Arrow), which separates the crest into two sections, represents the faithful service of Archbishop Carroll to the Catholic Church. The chevron is also a representation of the unity of the two cities, Canberra and Goulburn, the Archdiocese within which Archbishop Carroll worked.

 

The hat and tassels are from Archbishop Francis Carroll’s crest, with four lines representing Archbishops. They also form the scales and represent equality. At Archbishop Francis Carroll’s retirement speech he spoke about how every member of the Christian community is equal in dignity. He also highlighted that all people have the right and responsibility to participate in the life and mission of the Church.

 

The sheaf of hay represents the areas in which Archbishop Francis Carroll worked. He was deeply connected to the Church, land and people of his region, and he provided a fine example of a lived commitment to faith, relationships and learning. The regions in which he worked were Ganmain, Griffith, Albury, Goulburn and Canberra.

 

The Southern Cross represents the sky under which we all live. The Southern Cross also represents our Australian heritage as seen on the Australian Flag. The Mater Dei Catholic College courtyard also has the stars in the ground and from an aerial view, the stars can be seen and so the Southern Cross has a strong meaning within our College.