Mercovich, T. Cornelius (1926-1989)

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Teacher, chaplain, spiritual director.

Cornelius Mercovich was an inspiring man who had so little self-confidence in fact, that he considered himself a failure. Just when he seemed to be placing more value on his own work, he was transferred by his superiors, and his self doubt returned. This became the pattern in his life until the end.

He found Jesuit studies very difficult and had, at one stage, thought of becoming a brother. Yet for many years he, together with John McAreavey and Bede Lowery, formed a scholarly, brilliant and recognised scientific 'team' devoted to extending the Australian data base of nature and exotic entomology. His significant 'ant' collection was eventually housed in the national repository of the CSIRO. But he was a good priest, compassionate and kind, giving and generous, despite his disbelief in himself. He was also a fine teacher of mathematics, at Xavier College, 1975-76, St Louis School, Perth, 1962-74, and in other places. In Perth he also taught religion, Latin and history.

He loved living in Perth; the place gave him security. He had true friends, people who appreciated his personal gifts. They loved him for who he was; a kind friend, a good companion, one who listened and empathised with others. He knew the depth of feelings of self-doubt and rejection, of failure and uselessness. He could relate to the pain of others. He was a kind and thoughtful chaplain to the Hungarian sisters who ran a hospital for the aged. This work he took on when the Hungarian chaplain Father Fazekas died in 1975. It was an assignment he enjoyed.

From 1978-83 he was minister and bursar at St Thomas More College. No matter how he tried he never seemed to please superiors, and this distressed him greatly. Fr James Dynon was a kind, thoughtful and strong support during these years. He was loved by the students of the college who appreciated his care, his wit, his encouragement. He particularly went out of his way to support and encourage the Asian students whom he knew had special needs.

However, such was the situation that Mercovich had to move on, despite his desire to remain in Perth. Instead, he was moved to the parish of Norwood, but little work was given to him. Again he felt useless and unwanted. Finally, his friend Douglas Boyd encouraged him to give directed retreats at Campion College, Kew, 1985-88, while a member of the Burke Hall community. Slowly Mercovich began to warm to the work, and many attested to his spiritual and human help during retreats. Shortly before his last illness in 1989 he was refused permission to go overseas to learn more about retreat giving. It had taken much courage to ask for study leave, and therefore the pain in the refusal was equally great. He declined in health and self-confidence.

Finally, he was diagnosed as having a brain tumor, and was most edifying in his acceptance of this terminal condition. He relived a life which he had seen as a failure, and this was itself therapeutic. He had a simple but strong faith. He believed in the love of God, but found it hard to understand how God could use such an unworthy person as himself. Yet, one Jesuit praised him saying that if he had a spiritual problem he would seek out Mercovich well before many more recognised spiritual gurus.

ANT TAXONOMY
Orectognathus nigriventris sp. n.

PUBLICATIONS

 * Mercovich, T. C. 1958. A new species of the genus Orectognathus. Mem. Qld. Mus. 13: 195-198