Bishop Colin Campbell
Born In: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: January 17th, 2012
Most. Rev. Colin Campbell, B.A., B.Th., M.A., R.S.W., D.D., Litt.D., bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Antigonish, died on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Drummond Hall, Halifax, N.S., after an extended illness.
He became the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish on March 19, 1987, and retired in 2002. The Holy Father Pope John Paul II appointed him to succeed Bishop William Power, who had been bishop since 1960. He served as priest of the Archdiocese of Halifax from 1956 until his appointment to the Diocese of Antigonish.
Born in Antigonish in 1931, to Dr. Peter Smythe Campbell and Ida (Tompkins) Campbell, he spent his first years in Port Hood.
After moving to Halifax, he received his early education in Halifax at Saint Thomas Aquinas School and Saint Mary’s University High School. He completed undergraduate studies at Saint Mary’s University (BA 1952), and received his bachelor of theology from Holy Heart Seminary in 1956. He earned a master of arts in social work from the Université de Montréal in 1964, and later studied writing and journalism at University of Southern California. In 1983 Atlantic School of Theology awarded him the degree doctorate of divinity ‘honoris causa’ for his outstanding work in Christian education and ecumenism.
Colin Campbell was ordained to priesthood by the Archbishop of Halifax, Most. Rev. J. Gerald Berry, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Halifax on May 26, 1956. He was appointed a monsignor by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish in December 1986.
He served as assistant priest at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Saint Catherine of Siena parish, and Saint Joseph’s parish, all in Halifax. He was appointed pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas parish in Halifax in 1969, Saint Anthony’s parish in Dartmouth in 1975, and Immaculate Conception parish in Truro in 1980.
He also served the archdiocese of Halifax as vicar general (1969-1980), diocesan consultor, diocesan director of Catholic Charities, and executive director of the Catholic Social Services Commission. As vicar general for diocesan administration (1977-1980), he oversaw the implementation of the recently developed diocesan goals.
In 1983, Fr. Campbell accepted a position in Toronto as national director of the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies. While he was leading the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies, Fr. Campbell chaired the board of governors of Saint Mary’s University, and served as president of the N.S. Family & Child Welfare Association, N.S. Association of Social Workers, Halifax Neighbourhood Centre, Institute of Pastoral Training and the N.S. Social Services Council. He was a lecturer at Mount Saint Vincent University, Holy Heart Seminary, Nova Scotia Teachers Summer School, and Maritime School of Social Work of Dalhousie University.
He was a teacher, social worker, journalist, author and administrator. For a number of years, he wrote a weekly column for the religion page of the Halifax Chronicle Herald and Mail Star, entitled “A matter of opinion.” He served as Herald press correspondent in Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul I and the election and installation of Pope John Paul II. He was a contributor to various theological journals and Catholic newspapers.
He was a member of the Knights of Malta, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and the Knights of Columbus. He was instrumental in establishing the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Atlantic Canada and was awarded the Cross of Merit by the Canada-Toronto Lieutenancy for his work with the order in the Holy Land.
Ordained on March 19, 1987, he became the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish. He immediately began a series of deanery meetings to assist in the creation of the “Mission and Goals” statement outlining the seven priorities of the diocese. This set the course for pastoral planning in the diocese in view of the declining number of priests and the increasing participation of the laity. This led to the 1996 Gaskell Report, Pastoral Leadership and Service in the Diocese of Antigonish, that has had an influence on present diocesan initiatives and the restructuring of parishes.
Bishop Campbell had a deep desire to teach faithfully Christian beliefs in the midst of great change in the church and in the world. He saw his role as a teacher of Christian faith and tradition as being of primary importance in his ministry as bishop. He encouraged people to study The Catechism of the Catholic Church and supported the availability of formal programs of adult faith formation for the people of the diocese.
The bishop served as chancellor and chairman of the board of governors of Saint Francis Xavier University for many years. In this capacity, he took an active part in the work of the board and tried to maintain a positive presence of the church within the life of the St. FX family.
He oversaw major developments in the administration of the diocese, including a broadening of the participation of lay people in the active management of diocesan affairs through the their membership on the diocesan business and finance committee. He encouraged the formation of finance committees in all parishes of the diocese to involve competent, experienced parishioners in implementing good stewardship practices. As bishop he was instrumental in the transition to a new diocesan pastoral centre in Sydney and in the construction of a new chancery office and residence in Antigonish.
While experiencing serious illness for many of his years in office, the bishop faced setbacks with deep trust in God. He showed exceptional determination and courage in carrying on his ministry zealously, in spite of the challenges presented by his poor health.
Through the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, he served as the chair of the Episcopal Commission for the Evangelization of Peoples, and as a member of the Episcopal Commission on Social Affairs and the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications.
Bishop Campbell is survived by his sister, Sr. Teresa Campbell of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, and his brother Emmett McCusker, Keswick, Ont.; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Nora and Mary Elizabeth and his brothers, John Edward, Duncan Ignatius and Patrick Gregory.
The visitation will be held in Antigonish at St. Ninian Place (part of St. Ninian Cathedral) on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 3-9 p.m. continuing on Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m.
The remains will be transferred to St. Ninian Cathedral for a vigil service at 4 p.m. The funeral mass will be Monday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. Most Rev. Brian J. Dunn, bishop of Antigonish presiding. Committal will follow in St. Ninian Cemetery, Antigonish.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of C.L. Curry Funeral Home in Antigonish.
Online condlolences: www.clcurry.com.
