Melbourne Archdiocese has farewelled its vicar general as Fr Joe Caddy departs for Far North Queensland to take up his new role as Bishop of Cairns. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
On Tuesday, Bishop-elect Caddy was joined by friends, colleagues and brother priests from across the Archdiocese for a special farewell celebration in the Grand Ballroom of Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel.
Among those paying tribute to the guest of honour was his friend Fr Brendan Reed, who has known Fr Caddy for more than 40 years.
“From the beginning of his seminary days he was not going to give himself over to a narrow and inwardly looking approach either to the priesthood or the Church’” Fr Reed observed.
“He always had a strong sense of the Church as being the first fruits of all that God was up to in the world,” Fr Reed said.
“In other words, he has never seen the Church as above or better, separate or sect, us and them. He has seen the Church as a community of the faithful People of God who are attuned, expert, alert, wired to the ways and desires of God for the life of the whole world.’
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli recalled that when he asked Fr Caddy to become Vicar General, he said yes.
“It’s that word that I just want to highlight. It’s been the pattern of Joe’s priestly life—I’m sure, before then too. You have said “yes” whenever you’ve been asked, whatever form of ministry that might have been,” Archbishop Comensoli said.
Bishop-elect Caddy said while there is “is pain in moving” from Melbourne, “at the same time, there is a sense of excitement as I catch the fragrances of those distant places and anticipate a new life there.
“I have been asked to go on a journey to a new place, and there will be new stories to share … But all of these new stories will continue in the context of all of the stories to this point, within the stories of Scripture and faith.”
The Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev Joseph John Caddy AM, as Eighth Bishop of Cairns, will take place at 6pm AEST on August 15, on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. View the livestream here.
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Melbourne farewells Fr Joe Caddy (Melbourne Catholic)
