Former Diocese of Antigonish Bishop Colin Campbell died Jan. 17 at the age of 80. (File photo)

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Bishop Colin Campbell, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Antigonish, was laid to rest Monday following a funeral service at St. Ninian Cathedral.
Campbell died Jan. 17 in a Halifax nursing home where he lived for the last number of years.
He was survived by his Sister Teresa Campbell, brother Emmett McCusker and several nieces and nephews. Among those gathered at the funeral presided by Antigonish Bishop Brian Dunn were: Halifax-Yarmouth Archbishop Anthony Mancini, Halifax Archbishop-emeritus James Hayes, Moncton Archbishop Andre Richard and several dozen priests from the Dioceses of Antigonish many of which Campbell had ordained to the priesthood.
Also present were priests from the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth where Campbell had served as a priest prior to being ordained a bishop, members of the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, Knights of the Holy Sepulcher and laity from throughout the diocese.
Dunn’s homily highlighted Campbell’s episcopal motto Tutore te Christe (You O Christ are the teacher) saying Campbell’s life and ministry were a testament to the motto.
“Each one of us, including Colin Campbell, is looked on by the Good Teacher and we are loved deeply,” Dunn said.
“In the midst of this gaze of love, we know our whole being is embraced by our Saviour and Teacher, who knows the hopes and longings of our hearts and who wants to assist us in attaining these deep longings.
“This gaze of love gave Bishop Campbell a deep understanding of the faith that led him to do so much to promote in others an understanding of the teachings of the Church.”
Dunn said Campbell took his role as teacher seriously whether it was preaching, encouraging people to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church or in his writing. Campbell wrote for the Chronicle Herald and weekly columns in the Casket.
During his time as shepherd of Antigonish, Campbell began the process of pastoral planning, broadened the participation of lay people in diocesan affairs and encouraged the foundation of parish finance committees to implement good stewardship practices.
He also transitioned the diocese into a new pastoral center in Sydney and oversaw the construction of a new chancery office and residence in Antigonish.
Having resigned in October 2002 for health reasons, Campbell’s health had declined over the past few years yet he still found ways to engage in pastoral ministry.
Father John Barry, who served as Campbell’s chancellor for two years, said the bishop celebrated Masses and began a door-to-door ministry visiting families in the Lower Sackville area.
“He could work for hours and it would be incentive for others,” Barry said, describing the bishop as easy to work with, friendly and laid back.
Barry said Campbell set the tone early on by visiting parishes the first weekend after being ordained bishop and continued to be present in parishes throughout the diocese.
He described Campbell’s leadership style included consulting people but when the time came to make a decision the bishop made it with authority.
The priest said the pastoral planning initiatives, which included parish surveys on Mass attendance and involvement of the clergy, included meetings with the laity. Campbell also laid the ground work for the permanent diaconate program.
“He tried, and did, establish goals and priorities for the diocese,” Barry said.
The priest said Campbell was a lecturer and clear thinker who preached eloquently.
“He wasn’t out to win friends. He was out to do what needed to be done regardless of the consequences of it. I think he was clear on that sort of thing. He lacked the support of some people but it didn’t bother him.”
At times Campbell faced backlash and criticism for remarks and directness of his homilies. One such controversy arose after a column questioned the motives and circumstances of the victims abused at Mount Cashel orphanage in Newfoundland.
Barry said that with all people there were things that Campbell realized he could have done differently.
“He was conscious of the fact he could have taken a different direction on some things and given different advice. The fact that he apologized shows he was cognizant of those things.”
Barry said Campbell always considered himself a priest first.
“I think he hoped people would remember him as being a good, devoted and holy priest who tried to do everything he could to help others.”
St. Ninian parishioner Lou Palmer was among those paying respects to the former bishop of Antigonish. He also serves as treasurer of the Antigonish Diocesan Society which helps pay for the seminary training of new priests.
“We would meet informally and he would call me to say there was a new seminarian and ask that arrangements be made,” Palmer said.
He said during a retreat Campbell taught him more about the Mass in one hour than what he had learned in all his life.
“He was an exceptionally good teacher. Sometimes he would give a homily and I was hospitality minister, he would come down the aisle and say to me ‘I’ll probably get a few calls about that one.’” Palmer said.
“It would have been a good homily, the problem was people thought he was talking down to them, but he was just teaching and they seemed not to like to hear the truth.”
As bishop, Campbell also served as chancellor and chair of the board of governors for St. F.X. University.
St. F.X. University president Sean Riley was part of a group of administrators and faculty members from the institution attending the liturgy. Riley said, during Campbell’s time period on the board, St. F.X. was looking to extend its national reach.
“It is fair to say Bishop Campbell was involved in the discussions around the Catholic heritage of the university,” Riley said.
“I remember a number of discussions on the role of the diocese and the role of university in the diocese through the extension department.”
Campbell also took interest in the role of the Coady.
“He was very much a supporter of the thrust of the Coady Institute toward social justice, toward the role of women in society,” Riley said.
Sister Mary MacFarlane, Congregation Leader for Sisters of St. Martha, attended the funeral Mass. She said she had a good relationship with Campbell and remembers him presiding at the order’s celebration of their 100th anniversary and his visits.
“He would come to our motherhouse every Christmas for dinner, if not dinner afterwards, and he would visit all our sisters in extended care,” MacFarlane said, adding that his sister would often join him.
“She would play the piano in the assembly hall for us. He was very fond of music.”
Prior to the funeral Mass, condolences from Pope Benedict XVI, the apostolic nuncio and bishops from across Canada were acknowledged.
Campbell was buried at St. Ninian Cemetery. The St. Ninian Catholic Women’s League with assistance from St. Ninian Knights of Columbus hosted a reception at St. Ninian Place after the Mass.