CLICK HERE to download the Memorial Card CLICK HERE to make a donation to Catholic Charities You are welcome to leave a message of condolence below.

PONTIFICAL CONCELEBRATED Mass of Christian Burial for the late Archbishop Philip Edward Wilson will be celebrated on Wednesday 3 February 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
Sadly, due to current restrictions, attendance is by invitation only. The Mass will be available by livestream. Please use the link above.

Please note that parking is not available in the Cathedral grounds.

In lieu of floral tributes, donations to Catholic Charities would be appreciated. Reply Paid Envelopes are available at the Diocesan Centre Reception or the Visitation. Online donations can be made using the link above.

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Most Rev Philip Edward Wilson DD JCL
Born 2 October 1950
Entered Eternal Life 17 January 2021

Ordained Priest 23 August 1975
Ordained Bishop of Woollongong 12 April 1996
Installed as 8th Archbishop of Adelaide 3 December 2001

Loving son of John and Joan (both deceased).
Beloved brother and brother-in-law to Joanne and Grant,
Marie-Anne and Steve, Mark and Jacqui, and Paul (deceased).
Cherished uncle and great-uncle.

Dedicated and faithful servant of God and His People.
A man of integrity, respected for his leadership in the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, the clergy and the people of the
Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide offer their deepest sympathy
to his family and friends and pray for the repose of his soul.

Message Board


Loretta and Julie Mittiga -

So very sad to hear of the tragic loss of our dear friend The Most Rev Phillip Wilson. Our heart goes out to his family and all who knew him. We prayed for you and we will still pray for you. May you Rest In Peace. From you dear friends the Late Rosina Mittiga and Loretta and Julie Mittiga. We will miss our family dinners. I always said and believe you have been touched by God.


Margaret Bartley -

A deeply caring bishop and friend who simply sought to bring others to Christ. My condolences to his family.


Sr Clare Condon -

May God receive him into eternal life. He was a man of God and he faithfully ministered to all.


Br David Hawke -

The De La Salle Brothers pray for the eternal rest of Archbishop Wilson. His support for and affirmation of Catholic education in the Lasallian tradition at St Michael's College was always appreciated. On a personal note I valued working with Archbishop Wilson not long after his appointment as Archbishop on professional standards issues. David Hawke FSC Visitor (Provincial)


Brother Patrick White, cfc -

Bishop Philip was known as “The healing Bishop”, because of his servant ministry in Wollongong. I was privileged to be involved in his ministry in a helping role. He had the welfare of his clergy and his people deeply in his heart.


Vickie, Nic, Alison & Jennifer Gal -

We are so deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death our our dearest friend The Most Rev Philip Wilson. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all his family. We will miss the treasured times and fond memories that we spent together. Rest in Peace


Fr. Hugh Thomas -

A wonderful priest and Bishop, whom I knew well as a priest in Maitland Newcastle and a Bishop in Wollongong. A man of prayer, knowledge and zeal. A victim of unjust accusations from which he was thankfully cleared. May his soul rest in peace.


Julie Dellavia -

So grateful to Archbishop Wilson I attended mass each Sunday at the Cathedral with my late mother Pat who passed 10 years ago. My Mum was diabetic and Archbishop Wilson always asked after mass how she was. He was a caring and special priest. When my mother died he was lovely to me and said a special mass for her. RIP a great servant of the Lord.


Judith Anne Seery -

So sad to read the news of the death of The Most Rev Phillip Wilson, a man of deep faith and commitment. Special memories are held from the Maitland -Newcastle days. Rest in eternal peace Phillip. Prayers are with you and your family.


Abbess Hilda Scott osb -

It is with genuine sorrow that we mourn the loss of “Bishop Philip”. He was our much loved Bishop and a particular friend to our community, the Benedictine Nuns of Jamberoo NSW.Our lives were graced by his compassion, wisdom, gentleness , friendship, fidelity and genuine prayer.We can now no longer look forward to the always happily anticipated possibility of his visit to us in person, but we know such was Archbishop Philip’s holiness that he will be praying for us and indeed the whole Church of Australia for whom he offered his life.He will be forever remembered ,in the words of our local newspaper ,as “The Healing Bishop of Wollongong” , and by the Benedictine Community as our loving and faithful friend. Eternal Rest grant unto him O Lord.


Elizabeth May Storoschuk -

I met Archbishop Wilson for the first time as an RCIA candidate and then later during the process. Despite his obvious ill health he persevered through it, attending RCIA functions and offering kind and supportive words to us all. He made sure that he came and talked to each one of us, listened to us and made us feel very welcome. I also met him on a Church visit where he listened to both positive and negative opinions taking all ideas on board and maintaining a sense of humour throughout. I found him to be generous of spirit, a sympathetic listener, stoic and courageous. The Church has lost a good, kind and spiritual man but he is now Home and at Peace.


Binh Nguyen -

Archbishop Wilson was a kind and caring person as everytime he came to visit The Vietnamese Catholic Community in SA, he would like to talk to many of us and listen to our opinions with kindness and love. He will be forever remembered in the Community through our thoughts and prayers.


Breda Robinson -

May you Rest In Peace Archbishop Wilson I admired you found you to be a man of integrity, honesty, truthfulness, caring & friendliness but most of all faithfulness & love of God & his people. You served God & his people well now it’s time to rest with him. I will remember you in my prayers always Rest In Peace Breda


Donna -

I was deeply saddened to hear the passing of Most Rev Philip Wilson, but I know he is at peace with our Heavenly Father. I was lucky to meet him a few times & he was so warm & caring. My deepest condolences do Rev Philip Wilson’s family. May you Rest in Peace


Keith & Ann Colyer -

We pray for the repose of the soul of our dear friend Archbishop Emeritus Philip Wilson, shepherd, pastor, priest, friend; Man of God. We hold fond memories. May he rest in Peace in the arms of Jesus.


Keith & Ann Colyer -

We pray for the repose of the soul of our dear friend Archbishop Emeritus Philip Wilson, shepherd, pastor, priest; Man of God. We hold fond memories. May he rest in Peace in the arms of Jesus.


Keith & Ann Colyer -

We pray for the repose of the soul of our dear friend Archbishop Emeritus Philip Wilson, shepherd, pastor, priest; Man of God. We hold in our fond memories. May he rest in Peace in the arms of Jesus.


Marie London -

My gratitude to Archbishop Wilson who was very supportive and encouraging to me whilst I worked in the parish office. Rest In Peace Archbishop Wilson. Marie London.


Kathleen McCormack -

Deepest Sympathy and prayers to + Philips family and the people of the Archdiocese of Adelaide. I was fortunate to work with him in the Wollongong Diocese for four years He was a man of courage and true leader, RIP


Madeleine -

Much respected and very kind. May he Rest in Peace.


Bishop Raymond Chappetto -

Archbishop Wilson was a friend, not only to me but to the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York. As Adelaide mourns the passing of their former Archbishop, we mourn with you. May he Rest in Peace!


Mark and Maureen McCarthy -

Your great service to the people of God, especially in trying to the child sexual abuse crisis, is a lasting legacy. We remember your warmth, inspired preaching and support for neighbourhood church. Rest in Peace good and faithful servant.


Aileen Isdale -

Dear Archbishop, Your Grace worked so hard and so courageously for such a long time despite poor health. I was privileged to work for Your Grace for a short period of time as one of many support staff. I learned so much from being in Your Grace's presence, and my outlook and opinions on lots of important issues were changed for the better. Rest in peace and God Bless with love from Aileen and Philippa.


John Butler -

No words will ever do justice to the impact of +Philip’s struggle over the past five years and of his passing. I will miss +Philip and will carry memories of him for the rest of my life. +Philip made a huge difference in so many lives.


Mary Symonds rsm -

I was sad to hear that Phillip had died but glad that he is no longer suffering. I worked with him in NSW on the marriage tribunal and when he became Archbishop of Adelaide he invited me to return to Adelaide and run the tribunal there. He then assisted me to study law at Flinders University and came to bless the Mercy House of Welcome at Kilburn, offering services for asylum seekers where I still work, now run by Vinnies. I will miss him and thank him for his faith and trust in myself.


Warwick Dooland -

Thank you Archbishop Philip, you have been, and remain a great help to me in my faith. You will remain in my prayers until we meet again.


Mrs. Nan and Fr Ian Wilson -

We have been privileged to know and love Arch Wilson, (Cuz, as he used to call us, coming from the same Clan Gunn in Scotland). He was partly responsible for us becoming Catholics through the Personal Ordinariate of OLSC, retroactively blessed our marriage, and was involved in Fr Ian's journey to the Catholic priesthood. He prayed for us and our family through Nan's cancer battle and other family trials. We were often in touch by phone, texts and visits Covid allowing. We miss him sorely. May he RIP.


marie deverill -

RIP, Philip. You were a committed friend to our family in happy and sad times, over many years. Your faith and spirituality were valued, your love of music, food and wine enjoyed! Rest in your reward now you've come into the kingdom!


Jane and Michael McDonald -

With enormous gratitude for the many gifts you gave to the Church and your friendship, we pray for you and your family. Jane and Michael McDonald and family


Tom and Narelle -

Dear Philip, we had a special relationship with you for 44 years, thank you for being a small part of our lives. The baptisms and wedding that you celebrated, the times we caught up and your deep love and faith of our Lord are our memories. We are saddened by your untimely death but know that Jesus has taken you into his arms and released you from this world. We will never forget you, peace be with you. Tom and Narelle


Robyn McLeod -

Someone so special can never be forgotten, may his soul rest in peace.


Raymond Canning -

Philip always went the extra mile in showing attention and kindness to me, first when I worked in the Department of Religious Education in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in the early 1980s, and later in supporting my work as Executive Secretary of the Bishops Commission for Doctrine and Morals. Always a supportive presence, now still in the communion of saints.


Mark Powell -

Love you brother


Paul O'Callaghan -

A sad and premature loss of such a dear friend and confidant. Philip contributed so much to our Church and faith and served the Catholic communities in which he toiled with distinction and supreme dedication. Long may he be remembered by all of us and may he now rest in peace as he has well and truly fought the good fight.


Maureen Watts -

Such sadness at the loss of a truly prayerful man. I had the great fortune of working with Archbishop Wilson and developing a friendship with him. A great conversationalist and mentor. He was a warm, caring and supportive man, showing kindness in my most trying times. No doubt he has been welcomed warmly as a good and faithful servant.


Anna Caruana -

Archbishop Wilson guided and led us with example, integrity and kindness. Even those of us who didn't know him well will miss his wisdom and presence, which permeated down to all levels of the Archdiocese. I always learnt something important from his homilies and came away a better Christian than when I walked in. He'll be sadly missed but his memory and legacy will be a lasting gift to all of us. Deepest condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.