Australia’s Catholic bishops have welcomed the installation of the Bishop Tim Norton SVD as the third Bishop of Broome. Source: ACBC Media Blog.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, was joined by Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey, Australia’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop, Charles Balvo, and more than a dozen other bishops from around Australia for the installation service at St Mary’s College in Broome yesterday.
Archbishop Costelloe said Bishop Norton would bring enthusiasm and vision to the Broome Diocese.
“As a member of the Society of the Divine Word, Bishop Norton has a deep appreciation of the importance of cultural traditions in the living of the Christian faith,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“Having lived and worked in many different settings, both here in Australia and overseas, Bishop Norton brings with him a love for the Indigenous people of our nation, a heart for the poor and marginalised, and a ‘down-to-earth’ approach to the needs and realities of our time.
“He will be a blessing not only to the Catholic community in the vast Diocese of Broome, but to all who live in the north-west.”
Bishop Norton was born in Sydney in 1958 and trained as a physiotherapist, working in inner-city Darlinghurst with young people who were experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health issues.
He entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1984 and took his first vows in 1986.
In 1991, he was ordained priest, ministering in parishes in Mexico until 1996.
Having undertaken post-graduate study in spiritual direction in Melbourne in 1997, he served as the society’s prefect for theology students and novice and postulant director, based in Melbourne and Sydney, from 1998 to 2004.
His nine years as leader of the society’s Australian province (which takes in New Zealand and Thailand) was followed by ministry in Italy from 2014 to 2021.
In February 2022, he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane.
“I am delighted with my appointment to the Catholic communities of the Kimberley. I am looking forward to engaging with all the people across the diocese, especially my Aboriginal sisters and brothers,” Bishop Norton said.
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