Thomas Stafford Williams ONZ ChStJ (1930 - 2023)

Born 20 Mar 1930 in Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Died 22 Dec 2023 at age 93 in Waikanae, Wellington, New Zealand

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Biography

Birth
Cardinal Thomas (Tom) Stafford Williams was born 20 Match 1930 in Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. He was the son of Lillian and Thomas Williams.

Tom was a member of the Order of Saint John.

He worked as an accountant before studying for the priesthood in Mosgiel.

He said some of the highlights of his long career in the priesthood included his two ordination ceremonies, spending five years in Samoa, the 1981 Springbok Tour, visiting Rome and the Vatican, the funeral of Pope St John Paul II, and the election of Pope Benedict.

Cardinal Williams was:

President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 1980-1988.

Created Cardinal-Priest of the titular church of Jesus the Divine Teacher at Pineta Sacchetti by Pope John Paul II on 2 February 1983.

Founding President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania, 1990-1998.

President Delegate of the Special Assembly for Oceania of the Synod of Bishops (November-December 1998).

Appointed Military Ordinary in 1995.

Appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civilian honour, in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours. ^[1]

Archbishop emeritus of Wellington, from 21 March 2005.

Military Ordinary emeritus for New Zealand, from 1 April 2005.

a participant in the conclave of April 2005 which elected Pope Benedict XVI.

Death

Cardinal (Archbishop) Tom Williams (93) became ill two days prior to his death at Charles Fleming Retirement Village in Waikanae 22 December 2023. ^[2] His motto was "Unity in Christ".

Obituary

Sources

1. ↑ Dept of the Prime Minister and cabinet [1]
2. ↑ Cardinal Thomas Williams [2] (Accessed 22 December 2023)

• Cardinal Thomas Williams [3]