Wewak Bishop Tony Burgess has died

Friday, October 25th, 2013

The retired Bishop of Wewak, Tony Burgess, died in Sydney on Sunday 23 October. He spent 40 years working in Papua New Guinea.

Arriving in 1973 he was sent to Karaitem near Lumi in the Torrecelli Mountains. Lumi was a large government station and the parish was under the care of Franciscan Fr. Tom Ritchie. When Tom had to return to Australia for some months following the death of his father, Tony cared for both Lumi and Karaitem.

Later on he was appointed to Wassisi in the Nuku district. Wassisi is an important station on the junction of the road between Nuku and Wewak. With the collapse of airlines all the supplies for the missionaries and government had to pass through Wassisi.

Tony’s business and bookkeeping skills all came to the fore. He built a large bulk store for all who needed supplies, especially the mission stations. He did not neglect his parish duties. He kept a record of every village visited and made sure none were neglected.

Bishop Brian Barnes of Aitape appointed Tony to his Council with particular responsibility for Finance. He later became the Vicar General of the diocese.

When the tsunami hit the Aitape coast in 1998 it virtually wiped out three large villages. Tony was a key figure in the resettlement of survivors.

In 2000 he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Wewak and was appointed Bishop of the diocese two years later.

When he got sick a couple of years ago and went to Sydney for tests On his return to Papua New Guinea at the end of last year he received the award of “Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu” from the Governor General.

In July this year Tony, having reached the age of 75, Tony handed in his letter or resignation to the Pope. He had hoped to stay in the diocese until his replacement was appointed, but in September this ill health made it necessary for to return to Australia for good.

Tony’s funeral will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney next Wednesday, 30th October, at 10.30am.

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