Martin Griver: Second Catholic Bishop of Perth (1814-1886)

In 1849 Griver was recommended to Bishop Rosendo Salvado and joined the missionaries gathered in Barcelona for service in Western Australia. In December he landed at Fremantle with Dr Joseph Serra and his band of monks, but opposition to Serra by one of the party on the voyage became on shore a public struggle to prevent the monks from joining the mission at New Norcia, and to have Serra ousted from the leadership. Griver had hoped to work with Salvado in the new northern diocese of Port Victoria but after some difficulty led the monks instead to New Norcia. Though appointed superior by Serra, Griver was soon sent with seventeen brothers to Guildford where they arrived after an arduous and difficult journey on foot. From Guildford he went to Serra’s new foundation, New Subiaco, and then to Perth. In 1851 he had to handle a delicate situation which had arisen from the unexpected return of Bishop John Brady, and his marked difference of opinion with Serra. Griver then had only a scanty knowledge of English but displayed great competence, courage and an edifying humility in difficult circumstances. He had wanted to join the Benedictines but, because of Serra’s mismanagement, did not become a professed monk. He discharged his priestly office with zeal and prudence in Perth and Fremantle, travelled all over the country and in 1858 visited the colony’s furthest outposts, from Albany in the south and Geraldton in the north. Many benefited from his knowledge of medicine on these tours. pp. 100 #0617