The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide announced today that Faulkner had died yesterday afternoon at the Pines Lodge.

Faulkner was Archbishop of Adelaide from 1985 until his retirement in 2001.

Faulkner was born in Booleroo Centre in South Australia in 1926 – the eldest of 10 children. He entered the seminary in Rostrevor and was ordained in 1950.

In 1967, he was appointed Bishop of Townsville – last year becoming only the third bishop in the history of the Australian Catholic Church to serve 50 years in the role.

Archbishop Philip Wilson extended his sympathy to Faulkner’s family and friends.

“We grieve his death deeply, but we also give thanks for his life and his outstanding service to the gospel and to all whom he led,” he said.

Details of his funeral Mass are yet to be confirmed.