CCCB – report… It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the Most Reverend Austin-Emile Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of Halifax. He passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 89 years of age.
Born in Sluice Pointe, in Yarmouth County, Archbishop Burke was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Halifax on March 25, 1950. On May 14, 1968, he was ordained Bishop of Yarmouth, where he remained for 23 years. Pope John-Paul II appointed him as Archbishop of Halifax on July 8, 1991, until he retired on January 13, 1998.
In addition to providing pastoral leadership for the People of God in the Diocese of Yarmouth and the Archdiocese of Halifax, Archbishop Burke has served as President of the Atlantic Episcopal Assembly, Co-Treasurer of the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and as a member of several CCCB commissions. He was a founding member of the Catholic Organization for Life and Family. Among highlights of his Episcopal ministry as Archbishop of Halifax was his hosting of the annual plenary meeting of the CCCB in 1996. During this event, the bishops of Canada issued an important statement on poverty entitled, The Struggle Against Poverty: A Sign of Hope for Our World.
Archbishop Burke has laid in state at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, in Halifax since Sunday, August 14, 2011. Visitations will continue on Monday, August 15, from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., in the Lady Chapel, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, August 16, as of 12 noon. The funeral will take place at 2:00 p.m.
Comments