Hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Bishop Kevin Manning, the second Bishop of Parramatta, during his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Source: Catholic Outlook.
Bishop Manning, who served as Bishop of Parramatta for 12 years, died peacefully in Bathurst on Monday, July 15, at the age of 90.
In his opening remarks at the funeral, Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv extended his warmest welcome to all visiting clergy and members of Bishop Manning’s extended family.
He also extended his thanks on behalf of the diocese to Sr Mary Comer RSJ, who was a dear friend to Bishop Manning and cared for him in his later years.
“All who have come here today want to express our condolences to the Manning family and his close friends, but also to give thanks to God for the many blessings that Bishop Kevin brought through his leadership and ministry over many decades here in Parramatta, Wilcannia-Forbes, Armidale and Bathurst,” Bishop Long said.
“One of his greatest legacies is the fact that we stand here today in this St Patrick’s Cathedral, which was a project that he oversaw and delighted in its planning and construction after the disastrous fire in 1996.
“Bishop Kevin was one of the first Christian leaders in this country to reach out to members of the Muslim community and we thank representatives of that community for honouring him here today.
“Bishop Kevin was a strong supporter of the ecumenical movement – he was once president of the NSW Ecumenical Council. In addition, he was a strong advocate for the underprivileged and marginalised.
“We have so much to be thankful for, to God, as we commend Bishop Kevin to his eternal rest in Christ.”
On behalf of Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Monsignor Alfred DSouza read out a message from Pope Francis on the passing of Bishop Manning.
Bishop Manning will be laid to rest alongside his parents in his hometown of Coolah, New South Wales today, following a memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Coolah.
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Diocese farewells Bishop Kevin Manning (By Mary Brazell, Catholic Outlook)
