The Oblates of Mary Immaculate give thanks to God for the extraordinary life and ministry of Fr Austin Cooper OMI.
It is with great sadness that the Australian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate announces the death of Fr Austin Patrick Cooper OMI, 2nd July 2023.
Austin Cooper was born on January 14, 1931 at Sorrento, Victoria, an area his family had lived in for a very long time – his grandmother’s family were there in the 1830s, and his grandfather purchased the Sorrento Hotel in the 1890s.
He attended Assumption College, Kilmore, studied law for a year at Melbourne University, and joined the Oblates in March 1950. He was sent to Kidalton Abbey, Piltown, Ireland to study and was ordained there on 16th September 1956, completing his studies in June 1957.
He arrived back in Australia later in 1957, and worked at Eagle Junction while attending the University of Queensland (BA Hons in history), followed by Iona College in its second year.
He was nominated as the first rector for the future St Mary’s Oblate Seminary, and sent to study in the scholasticate of the Eastern American Province, Oblate College, Washington DC in 1961 and 62 to prepare for the ministry of rector and to gain experience of scholasticate life. While there he completed an MA in History at Catholic University of America, he later completed his PhD, on the Oxford Movement, at Monash University (1972).
As the Mulgrave premises was not ready, in 1963 he took up residence at St Joseph’s Lovely Banks (Geelong), along with Fr Pat Slattery and 4 first year scholastics, before moving to Mulgrave in August. As the founding Rector of St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave from 1963 to 73, one of his achievements was establishing a close relationship with the nearby Monash University and combining the traditional training in philosophy with a university degree.
Fr Cooper served as the Australia Provincial from 1976 to 1983.
After completing his term as Provincial he continued his significant and influential academic career: Foundation Master, Catholic Theological College, Melbourne, 1972-76; Vice-President of Melbourne College of Divinity, 1974-76; President of Melbourne College of Divinity, 1976-78. He has been a lecturer at CTC since 1972, including two further stints as Master, from 1992-94 and then again 1998-2002. He was a Professor in the Department of Church History at CTC until 2022 and led overseas study tours as part of his courses in Christian Spirituality. His areas of expertise include his friends, Julian of Norwich and Cardinal Newman.
His writings include the history of the Australian Oblates up to 1994, A Little By Ourselves; books on Julian of Norwich, The Cloud of Unknowing and John Henry Newman, A Developing Spirituality (2012).
In 2004 Fr Austin received the Order of Australia for services to Theological Education.
Fr Austin has been an outstanding priest and dedicated Oblate of Mary Immaculate. He is highly capable as well as being a man of prayer and deep spirituality. He is inspirational to many students with a great kindness and a lovely sense of humour.
He is influential in the human and spiritual formation of many Oblates, Lay people, Religious and Priests in Australia. In his 72 years as an Oblate, he was a pillar of the Australian Province and will be greatly missed.
We firmly believe that we will see him again in the eternal life promised to all. He journeyed with Jesus, Mary, St Eugene de Mazenod and many church figures both in this earthy life and now into eternal life.
We thank God for the gift of Fr Austin Cooper OMI in our lives, in the Australian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and in the Australian Church.
God bless,
Fr Christian Fini OMI
Provincial
Funeral Arrangements
Vigil Mass at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Sorrento, on Tuesday 11th July at 7:00 pm
Funeral at St John Vianney’s Mulgrave, on Wednesday 12th July at 1:00 pm followed by refreshments in Parish Hall.
Burial at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Casuarina Lawn, at 3:30 pm.
Priests are invited to concelebrate; please bring white vestments. (To assist with seating, please email rsvp@oblates.com.au)
Bishops are invited to preside in choir.
Link to a three-part interview with Fr Austin Cooper OMI for his 60th Anniversary