November 10, 1916 – March 16, 1988
Archbishop Guilford Young was a man proud and passionate about his faith, dedicated to serving others and one who saw education as a gift and an opportunity. He loved young people and recognised them as the future of the country and the Church. He urged them to establish a vision, and to live it with purpose and dedication.
Guilford Young was born at Sandgate Brisbane on 10 November 1916 the son of a shearer Arthur Young and Mary Ellen Young. His father who was not a Catholic reared his family at Longreach Queensland but later the young lad Guilford was schooled by the Christian Brothers at Rockhampton. He began priestly studies for Rockhampton diocese at Springwood NSW and then proceeded to Propaganda College Rome. He was ordained priest on 3 June 1939 at the Lateran Basilica.
After appointments at Rockhampton Banyo seminary and the Apostolic Delegation at North Sydney, Guilford was appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop McGuire of Canberra and Goulburn on 15 July 1948 and became pastor of Yass. He was then aged 31 and the youngest Bishop in the church. He became Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese on 8 August 1953 when Archbishop McGuire retired and Auxiliary Bishop to the new Archbishop Eris O'Brien on 16 November 1953 until his transfer as Co-adjutor Archbishop at Hobart on 1 December 1954. At Yass also he gave considerable thought and ministerial attention to the aborigines of the district. Yass was often the focus in those days for large gatherings of laity and youth under his leadership.
Guilford Young was appointed as Archbishop of Hobart on 20 September, 1955 by Pope Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli (Pius XII). As one of the Council Fathers he was imbued with a vision and an enthusiasm for the Church in the Modern World and this was highlighted in his concern for social justice. He was particularly vigilant and outspoken on issues of educational justice for Catholic schools.
Guilford's years in Hobart were distinguished by his leadership in the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, and his contribution to the liturgical renewal of the Church, both at the local level and through his appointment in Rome, first to the Consilium for the implementation of the Council's reforms, and later to the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship.
Guilford was awarded the Order of the British Empire – Knights Commander on 3 June 1978 for Services to the Church. He died in Melbourne on 16 March 1988 and is buried in Hobart.
Tribute prepared by Guilford Young College.