Debbie Warrier: paralysed Australian Open tennis star loves his priesthood

Father Bryan Roe

I was born and bred in Brisbane. I have been blessed with two wonderful Catholic parents, and five faith-filled brothers and sisters. We went to Mass every Sunday and at least two weekdays during Lent each year. We also said the Rosary quite often, but every evening during Lent and Advent.
I was educated by the Christian Brothers. Ever since the age of 12, I have felt God calling me to be a priest. This revelation has been happening through prayer, the Word of God in Scripture, and God communicating with me through others.
I also grew up as a pretty good tennis player – having a set point against the world’s number one at the time, Ivan Lendl, in the 1988 Australia Open. I was 18 at the time.
When I was 19 I contracted an illness called Guilain Barre Syndrome which left me totally paralysed within 24 hours. I spent three months in hospital, and three years in a wheelchair recovering from this illness.
The illness has left me with nerve atrophy in my legs and hands, which means I have very weak hands and legs.
Although this sounds like a terrible experience, I received great blessings from it.
When I contracted the illness I can remember thinking, while lying on my back in intensive care, totally paralysed with a respirator helping me breath, “I have taken so much for granted in my life.”
So from that point on, I have been extremely grateful for everything God has blessed me with, particularly my faith, the wonderful people in my life, the beautiful world we live in, and being able to move and breathe.
At the University of Queensland I gained my Bachelor of Engineering degree, a Bachelor of Business degree, and a Master of IT. I worked in Product Development as a Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineer, before changing fields to Systems Analyst/ Project Manager.
Whilst working for a large multi-national company in Hong Kong, the call to the priesthood came to me again.
I fully wanted to be a priest just before entering the seminary at 34 years of age.
I spent six to seven years in the Holy Spirit Seminary, Brisbane, which was an experience I enjoyed immensely. Prior to this I had been putting my vocation off for so long, making up all the excuses in the world to avoid hearing God’s call.
When I finally had the grace of God to accept this call, it has been like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I have been on cloud nine ever since.
Initially, I felt God was calling me to be a missionary priest in the sense of one who is called to spread the Good News to developing countries (for some reason taking a vow of poverty appealed to me). But with the need for priests in my home city of Brisbane, after much prayer I have discerned that God is calling me to be a diocesan priest here.
My mum, dad, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews are always there for me. I have eight very close friends, and their wives, who are wonderful that way as well. The reaction of everyone when I became a priest was “Finally!”
I live with Archbishop John Bathersby and the Dean of the Cathedral, who are terrific mentors and housemates.
Many other priests from Brisbane give me wonderful support.
I also find the staff at the Cathedral and Wynberg (the Archbishop’s house) to be very special people in my life. The support of my parishioners has meant a lot as well.
But by far my biggest influence and support has been my very good friend who also happens to be my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I love Him so much.
- dwarrier75@gmail.com