Once a Labor Senator and Australian ambassador to the Holy See, Fr Michael Tate died in Hobart on 5 June 2026.
Born on 6 July 1945, Michael Tate was a great promoter and example of the lay apostolate, who had once been a Catholic student leader in his home state of Tasmania.
After graduating as a lawyer and studying theology at Oxford, he turned to politics and was elected to the Senate representing Tasmania in 1977. He served as Minister for Justice in the Hawke and Keating Labor governments from 1987 until 1993.
Upon leaving the Senate, he was appointed Australian ambassador to the Netherlands and to the Holy See.
But in 1995, he chose to take up studies for the priesthood and was ordained by Archbishop Adrian Doyle on 19 May 2000. Over the next twenty years, he served the diocese in several capacities including as parish priest in Bridgewater, Sandy Bay, Huon Valley, and South Hobart as well as a stint as vicar-general.
“We grieve for an outstanding Australian whose life was defined by conviction, faith and service,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
“Michael’s contribution to our nation was extraordinary in both its breadth and its depth. He excelled as a parliamentarian, minister, diplomat and, ultimately, as a Catholic priest.”
Opening speech at IYCW World Council
In 1991, he represented the Australian government at the opening of the International YCW World Council in Adelaide.
“You are very welcome to Australia, the name of our nation derived from ‘Austrialia del Espiritu Santo’, South Land of the Holy Spirit,” he told delegates to the Council.
That Spirit which has hovered over this ancient land of ours inspired your founder, Joseph Cardijn and that Spirit still effectively works through the activities of the Young Christian Workers worldwide.
“Despite all the promise of that name, ‘Austrialia del Espiritu Santo’, you are visiting a land where just over 200 years ago Europeans, displaced from their ancestral homes, experienced the total negation of the fundamental principle in which Joseph Cardijn believed,” he continued.
“You will be aware of the centrality in Cardijn’s teaching of the dignity of the worker taking creative responsibility for his/her society, precisely the vital link in the teaching of Pope John Paul II so that, in “Laborem Exercens” he insists on the primacy of human labour over the means of production, that ‘work is for man, (deeply and spiritually so), not man for work’ and in “Centesimus Annus” he recognises the value of the democratic system as a participatory, non-violent means of exercising political power.
“That must be your twofold programme in taking “the initiative to build a new world” – that new world is not achievable unless the betterment of the conditions of workers occurs within, and because of, a system of politics where they can really participate in a powerful, peaceful means of electing those who govern them.”
ACI secretary Stefan Gigacz recalled that he had first met Michael Tate on a visit to the old Federal Parliament building in Canberra in 1983.
“It was my first visit to Parliament and I was impressed not just by Michael’s easy hospitality but by his genuine interest in the work that the YCW was doing.
“Later, as ambassador to the Holy See, he took my wife Helen and myself out for coffee and cake, where he shared his plan to embark on his studies for the priesthood.
“I particularly remember him recounting the surprised and positive reaction he received from Pope John Paul II when Michael informed him of his post-ambassadorial plans.
“I will personally miss him greatly and I believe the Australian Church will too.”
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Michael Tate (Wikipedia)
Senator Michael Tate – Opening Address IYCW World Council 1991 (History of the Cardijn Movements in Australia)
Farewell to beloved priest Fr Michael Tate (Hobart Archdiocese)
Anthony Albanese, Statement on the passing of Father Michael Tate AO