Father Robert “Bob” Maguire, AM RFD receives Order of Australia

The late social justice campaigner Father Robert “Bob” John Maguire AM RFD has been recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the community.

Best known as Father Bob, the Catholic priest and media personality died in April last year after a life dedicated to standing up for the poor and marginalised.

Father Bob was one of the few who stood up for others, including child sex abuse victims of fellow clergy.

In his final year, his good name and deeds were signed over when Father Bob was effectively tricked by the Foundation Board, including Frank O’Connor, to sign his Foundation and life away.

Yet tonight, here is Frank being quoted by ABC News “Frank O’Connor, the director of the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, said it was “hard to know” how the late maverick priest would have responded to being awarded an AO.” “

“I think he would have been fairly chuffed,” Mr O’Connor said.

Mr O’Connor made no mention of the fact that VCAT found that the Foundation Board had tricked Father Bob into signing a guardianship order last year.

Mr O’Connor is one of the people that, according to  conversations -In Father Bob’s oWn words – was a “nasty piece of work.” 

“Certainly the foundation and Father Bob’s family are delighted that his commitment to this sort of work is continuing to be recognised,” Mr O’Connor said.

Father Bob was ordained in 1960 and spent close to 40 years as a parish priest in Melbourne, leaving after a clash with the church hierarchy over the mandatory retirement age of 75 for priests.

He was allowed to remain a priest until age 77, retiring in 2012 after 50 years of service to the church.