Hundreds of family, friends, clergy and parishioners gathered to farewell Fr Eugene Stockton at a Mass at St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, on 14 August. The beloved Blue Mountains Hermit died peacefully on Wednesday 5 August at the age of 91.
Fr Eugene held many roles and titles in his life. As well as a priest for more than 60 years across the Diocese of Parramatta, he was also an archeologist, scholar, teacher and educator, Aboriginal Chaplain, and self-described ‘bush theologian’.
Fr Eugene holding his favourite photograph of himself that captures him during an archaeological excavation. Photo: Jordan Grantham, Diocese of Parramatta
Through his passion for archaeology, history and Aboriginal spirituality, Fr Eugene brought stories of the Blue Mountains to life, authoring and co-authoring more than15 books that continue to preserve the region’s heritage.
Fr Eugene discovered Aboriginal artefacts in several excavations across the Blue Mountains and Nepean; his oldest artifact found is thought to be up to 40,000 years old, which would make it the oldest human occupation in the Blue Mountains.
A smoking ceremony and acknowledgment of country was said by Wayne Brennan (a friend, archaeologist and co-author of books with Fr Eugene). Image: Supplied
In 2008, he established the Blue Mountain Educational and Research Trust, which aimed to promote local Blue Mountains research and writing, “especially in Aboriginal, religious and spiritual studies.”
Prior to the Mass commencing, a smoking ceremony by Wayne Brennan (a friend, archaeologist and co-author of books with Fr Eugene) was held outside the church, honouring Fr Eugene’s involvement in Aboriginal spirituality, studies and ministry.
The funeral was held at St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood. Image: Supplied
In his homily, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta said: “From an early age, the bush stirred his imagination, and he made a long-term commitment to ‘listening’ to the Australian bush or ‘his country’ as he fondly calls it.”
“Eugene was truly a pioneer in exploring not only the artefacts but also our First Peoples’ spirituality. His works have brought together the newfound ecological reverence and the Aboriginal sense of the land as their myths and symbols arise from the soil.”
Image: Supplied
He added:
“Eugene’s long friendship with Aboriginal people and his innate sense of social and moral justice led him to strive to reconnect Aboriginal people with their sites and histories.
“His thoughts and actions resonate with the great Aboriginal gift to the nation, the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Here the ‘handshake across centuries’ is extended: a hand reaching out with the astoundingly generous invitation ‘to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’.”
Following the funeral, Fr Eugene was interred by Fr Jack Elkazzi at Wentworth Falls Catholic Cemetery. The Blue Mountains Hermit was laid to rest in his beloved country.
Fr Jack Elkazzi, blesses the coffin of Fr Eugene Stockton. Image: Supplied
