Previous find of the month - 3/2017


Previous find of the month - 3/2017


March 2017

Grace will lead me home

The crypt under St Christopher’s Cathedral



Hand drawn sketch of St Christopher's Cathedral



On the 1st of June 1972, the Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, The Most Reverent Thomas V. Cahill wrote to Ralph Hunt, Minister for the Interior, to query whether it would be possible to consider ‘the burial of bishops beneath the sanctuary’ in what was at that time St Christopher’s Pro-Cathedral in Manuka, and if so ‘what would be required to make this possible’.

The Christian tradition of burying bishops under the sanctuary of the cathedral in which they served is centuries old. It is believed to have originated from St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, which was built upon the grave of one of Jesus’ twelve apostles and early leader of the church, St Peter.

This request gives us historic insight into a local religious institution and the government processes required to approve this unusual request. For this reason the request for permission to bury bishops under St Christopher’s Cathedral is our March Find of the Month.



A cathedral fit for a capital

In 1972, major extensions were underway at St Christopher’s to both double its seating capacity and provide additional liturgical space. Archbishop Thomas Cahill was responsible for the project, and under his guidance, St Christopher’s progressed from being a pro-cathedral (a parish church used as a cathedral) to a full cathedral, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The architect he employed on this project, Mr. Clement Glancy, was the son of the original architect, and this allowed for a seamless style transition from old to new.

Although busy with managing the extension, Archbishop Cahill soon recognised that there was ample space beneath the sanctuary that could be developed into a crypt for the burial of local bishops. Under Canon Law (1176), the Catholic Church recommends that the ‘pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed’ through interment or entombment. Although cremation is allowed, the Pope has recently confirmed that the permanent collection or scattering of ashes is not, as this does not reflect the Christian belief of paying respect to both the soul and the body.



Original request for permission by Archbishop Cahill


Original letter of request from Archbishop Cahill (Source: 72/278)


On the 1st of June 1972 Archbishop Cahill wrote to Minister Hunt to request consideration for the interment of bishops beneath the sanctuary of St Christopher’s. The Minister’s agreement to the interment may have helped to ensure that St Christopher’s could progress in standing from a parish church to a full cathedral.



A question of process

The Department, unsure of how to approach the request, asked several organizations for advice, including the Government Medical Officer in Victoria. He responded by stating that Victoria applied the Cemeteries Act 1958 (Vic) and the Cemeteries Regulations to allow churches to administer their own private cemetery. However, in Canberra the Church Lands Leases Ordinance 1924 (Cth) disallowed this, stating that:

”...land shall not be deemed to be used for church purposes unless it is used solely as a site for a church, residence for clergy or a non-secular school.”

Although it was not possible to create a private cemetery on the site, under Section 17 of the Cemeteries Act 1933 (Cth) the Minister was able to approve burials outside of a public cemetery on an individual basis. Two major conditions needed to be addressed for this approval to be granted. The first condition concerned the meeting of strict structural requirements in the building of a vault or crypt, the second condition was the appropriate treatment of the body on health grounds.



Medical advice re preparing bodies for interment

Extract of acceptable terms for interment (Source: 72/278)


By the 16th of August 1972, a letter from Archbishop Cahill notes that Mr. Glancy had prepared and presented plans for the vault to the Department of the Interior's Chief Architect and that once approval had been given building could commence on the site. Confirmation of approval was given by phone, and noted on the file. The same letter agrees to the terms relating to the treatment of bodies. On this basis, requests could now be officially made to use the crypt.



Agreement from Archbishop Cahill to govt terms

Archbishop Cahill's agreement to the terms (Source: 72/278)



Records of interment


Archbishop Cahill did not wait long to place his first request. The Most Reverend Archbishop Terence Bernard McGuire served the Diocese of Goulburn, and later Canberra and Goulburn from 1938 to 1953. He had steadfastly refused to move from his base at Goulburn to Canberra, and eventually resigned from his post due to ill health. It was perhaps ironic then that his remains were chosen to be moved and be the first placed in the crypt at St Cristopher’s. Upon his death his remains had been buried at Inveralochy Agriculture and Trades College, Tarago, a school that he had built. However, with the sale and closure of the school a new place of rest was required.



Confirmation of preservation terms by the funeral director for Archbishop McGuire

Letter from Mr Crooks, Funeral Director declaring conditions for the transfer
of Archbishop McGuire's remains (Source: 72/278)


On the 30th of November 1972, the Minister of the Interior wrote to Archbishop Cahill giving his official consent to bury the remains of Archbishop McGuire in the crypt under St Christopher’s. Archbishop McGuire’s remains were accordingly moved from Goulburn on the 9th of December 1972.



Approval by the Minister to bury McGuire

Official letter of consent to bury Archbishop McGuire (Source: 72/278)


The second Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, the Most Reverend Dr Eris O’Brien served the Diocese from 1953 to 1967. Archbishop O’Brien was a published historian and close friend of local historian Manning Clark. His championing of independent secondary Catholic Education helped to secure government funding. After retiring due to ill health he passed away on the 28th of February 1974 and became the second bishop for whom interment in the crypt was requested.



Request to bury Archbishop OBrien

Request for interment of Archbishop O'Brien (Source: 72/278)


Archbishop Cahill served his diocese from 1967 to his death in 1978. During his time as Archbishop he expanded the parish branches in Canberra and also served on the Second Vatican Council. Upon his death his remains were also placed under the sanctuary in the Cathedral he helped to build.



Official approval to bury Archbishop Cahill

Official letter of consent to bury Archbishop Cahill (Source: 72/278)


The three bishops of Canberra were joined at rest by The Most Reverend Archbishop Morgan, in 2008. The Parish of St Christopher’s has kindly provided us with a photo (below) of their plaques marking their final resting place in the crypt.



Photo of the crypt interior including plaques

Inside the crypt underneath the sanctuary of St Christopher's (Source: O'Connor, 2017)



Archives ACT wishes to thank Michelle O’Connor, Parish Secretary, St Christopher’s Cathedral.


If you would like a copy of this record please contact ArchivesACT through our “Request a Record” service. If you would like to view the original documents you can also contact us to arrange a suitable time to visit the Archives ACT Reading Room located on the top floor of the Woden Library.


Back to Top


Files Used

  • 72/278 – REQUESTS FOR PROVISION FOR BURIAL OF BISHOPS BENEATH THE SANCTUARY – SAINT CHRISTOPHERS PRO-CATHEDRAL, MANUKA


Bibliography

  • Bernhard, Joëlle & Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (2003). Our Story - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Editions du Signe, France


Links to News Articles


Links to External Websites


Photo Credits

  • O'Connor, Michelle (2017). Inside the crypt at St Christopher's, Manuka
  • Sketch of St Christopher's, Manuka provided by St Christopher's Parish


Back to Top


Previous Find of the Month

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017


File Readers/Viewers

If you do not already have compatible software on your computer, free file readers/viewers can be downloaded from the following links.

Back to Top