Catholic Outlook July 2016

NEWS & EVENTS
Long wait is over for Parramatta
From left: Very Rev Wim Hoekstra EV, Msgr Ron McFarlane EV, Bishop Vincent Long,
Very Rev Peter Williams VG EV, Very Rev Chris de Souza VG EV, Very Rev Peter Blayney
JV and Rev Paul Roberts EV.
There was great rejoicing during the Mass of Installation of Bishop Vincent.
WESTERN SYDNEY and the Blue
Mountains warmly welcomed
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
as the fourth Bishop of Parramatta on the
evening of 16 June in St Patrick’s Cathedral,
Parramatta.
In a traditional Catholic ceremony, Bishop
Vincent said he wanted to be a bridge
builder to all communities and reach out to
abuse victims, divorcees and the LGBTIQ
community in particular.
“There can be no future for the living
Church without there being space for those
who have been hurt, damaged or alienated, be
they abuse victims, survivors, divorcees, gays,
lesbians or disaffected members,” Bishop
Vincent said.
The Liturgical Reception and Mass of
Installation was attended by thousands of
faithful and visitors who overflowed from St
Patrick’s Cathedral into Prince Alfred Square
opposite.
The Mass was concelebrated by the
Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev Anthony
Fisher OP, the Pope’s representative in
Australia, the Apostolic Nuncio His
Excellency Most Rev Adolfo Tito Yllana,
archbishops and bishops of Australia, clergy
of the Diocese of Parramatta and visiting
clergy.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent said he
was humbled by the appointment. “As your
Bishop, I am committed to being a bridge
builder,” he said.
“The Scriptures we have heard tonight
speak of a radical vision of love, inclusion and
human flourishing. We should ask ourselves
PHOTO: ALPHONSUS FOK.
what it means to apply this expansive vision
of God to our social matrix and what it means
to be a house for all peoples.”
Echoing Pope Francis, Bishop Vincent said,
“We are urged to be a Church where everyone
can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and
encouraged to live according to the Gospel
… I am committed to making the Church
in Parramatta the house for all peoples, a
Church where there is less an experience of
exclusion but more an encounter of radical
love, inclusiveness and solidarity.”
At the gathering were family and friends of
Bishop Vincent, leaders and representatives
of other churches and faiths, and civic and
government representatives.
In the forecourt prior to entering St Patrick’s
Cathedral, Bishop Vincent was met by Aunty
Janice Kennedy who gave a Welcome to
Country.
Uplifting music for the Mass was led by
St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir conducted by
Bernard Kirkpatrick.
Reflecting the diversity of the Diocese, the
universal prayer was prayed in Malayalam,
Arabic, Cantonese, Spanish, Polish, Auslan
and English.
Following the Mass, Bishop Vincent greeted
the many hundreds of people outside in a
giant marquee, the Cathedral forecourt and
Prince Alfred Square.
Bishop Vincent welcomed everyone to
supper at the Novotel Parramatta where the
celebrations continued into the evening.
Coverage continues on Pages 10-13 in this
issue.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
IN THE DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA
BISHOP VINCENT LONG
OFM Conv has confirmed the
following appointments in the
Diocese of Parramatta:
Very Rev Peter G Williams VG EV
Vicar General and Moderator of
the Curia, Episcopal Vicar for Social
Welfare
For one year from 17 June 2016
Very Rev Christopher de Souza
VG EV PP
Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar for
Education and Formation
For one year from 17 June 2016
Msgr Ron McFarlane EV PP
Chancellor and Episcopal Vicar for
Migrant Chaplaincies and Pastoral
Associates
For one year from 17 June 2016
Very Rev Wim Hoekstra EV PP
Episcopal Vicar for Priests
For one year from 17 June 2016
Very Rev John McSweeney EV PP
Episcopal Vicar for Deacons
For one year from 17 June 2016
Very Rev Paul Roberts EV
Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and
Pastoral Planning
For one year from 17 June 2016
Very Rev Peter Blayney JV PP
Judicial Vicar
For one year from 17 June 2016
Sr Ailsa Mackinnon RSM
Vicar for Consecrated Life
For one year from 17 June 2016
Rev Alfonsus Nahak SVD
Assistant Priest
St Andrew the Apostle Parish
Marayong
Effective 1 July 2016
Rev Mr Owen Rogers
Deacon Assisting
Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook
For a period of three years
Rev Mr George Bryan
Deacon Assisting
Mary, Queen of the Family Parish,
Blacktown
For a period of four year
4 CatholicOutlook | JULY 2016
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