Father Bob Maguire will be remembered at a state funeral in Victoria.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday the larrikin priest would be honoured at the service at a date yet to be set.
His family and the Father Bob Maguire Foundation will help to arrange the funeral.
“Victorians will be invited to celebrate the life of Father Bob Maguire at a state funeral, honouring the people’s priest’s generosity, kindness, humour and service to the state,” Mr Andrews said.
The premier was due to speak with Fr Bob’s family late last week about the possibility of a state funeral following the charity campaigner’s death at Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne on April 19. He was 88.
Fr Bob dedicated his life to charitable works and gained a reputation as a candid commentator unafraid to speak his mind or call out church leaders.
The Catholic priest was known for his work with disadvantaged people in his South Melbourne parish and appeared regularly in the media.
Fr Bob balanced his media commitments and parish duties until he was forced to retire from the Catholic Church in 2012.
© AAP 2023
