A message from Bishop Peter Elliott:
Dear friends
The news of the entry into eternal life today of Professor Nicholas Tonti Filippini has not come as a surprise. With faith and fortitude, supported by his devoted wife Dr Mary Walsh and his loving family, he has battled with a series of grave illnesses over many years, giving all of his friends and colleagues an example of courage and determination to serve to the end of his mortal existence on earth.
As the Director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne, I recognise with deep gratitude his brilliant contributions to the fields of bioethics, his faithful service of the Church nationally and internationally, his ecumenical witness and, through tireless work in many government bodies, a great service to the Australian community.
Nicholas was a fearless advocate in public discourse for his believed that the Christian voice should be heard in public debate.
In recognition of his service to the Church, Pope Benedict XVI made him a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great in 2009. He was a faithful member of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta.
Nicholas has ensured that his legacy of teaching in our Institute will continue through the students he has taught and mentored as well as by publishing in these last years of his life a series of volumes on current issues in bioethics.
We mourn his passing, a loss to us all. We celebrate his life on earth and we entrust him to the merciful love of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
In Dno.
+ Peter J Elliott
Most Rev. Peter J. Elliott, MA Oxon, MA Melb, STD
