Father Bob: The Larrikin Priest (Sue Williams, Michael Joseph)

The 2005 SBS TV program Speaking in Tongues, co-hosted by John Safran, first introduced Father Bob to a wider audience, but the popular priest has been ruffling feathers long before this with his irreverent approach to Catholicism. Schooled in the more liberal Vatican II teachings, Father Bob has regularly upset conservative Catholics and frequently embarrassed the likes of Cardinal George Pell with his unconventional methods. In this biography, Sue Williams traces the life of Father Bob from his childhood as a shy, nervous boy growing up with a violent, drunk and often-absent father, to his life as a priest, dedicated to helping the impoverished—the people who had slipped through the cracks and who no-one else was willing or able to help. Like Father Bob, Williams’ language is no-nonsense, and the story is compelling. Williams paints a picture of a compassionate, dedicated, resilient and irascible character with a great love for his calling. Despite being forced into retirement, Father Bob has embraced blogging, YouTube and Twitter to continue reaching out to people. This book will appeal to anyone curious about the Catholic Church and those interested in great Aussie eccentrics.

Deborah Crabtree is a Melbourne-based writer and bookseller

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Category: Reviews