Queensland’s bishops shared moments of faith, reflection and joy with people in Townsville and Palm Island as well as a special visit to Fantome Island during a three-day meeting last week. Source: The Catholic Leader.
“Being present in a place is an opportunity to show our personal support and encouragement for the local Church,” Brisbane Archbishop Shane Mackinlay said.
“It also helps make tangible for us the lived experience of the people and communities that are affected by the various decisions that we make.”
The bishops of Queensland include Archbishop Mackinlay, Townsville Bishop Tim Harris, Toowoomba Bishop Ken Howell, Cairns Bishop Joe Caddy and Rockhampton Bishop Danny Meagher.
The bishops formally meet four times a year, with one of those meetings held in a regional diocese.
Archbishop Mackinlay said the people of Townsville diocese welcomed them warmly and graciously.
On Tuesday, the bishops visited Palm Island, which is about 20 kilometres offshore. The community on Palm Island was established as an Aboriginal reserve after World War I and has been served by Catholic priests and religious sisters throughout the century since.
The bishops were met by the parish priest, Divine Word Missionary Fr Manh Le, who welcomed them and showed them around the island.
They joined residents and school children from St Michael’s School, who shared Indigenous music and dance as part of the celebration at St Anne’s Church.
The visit then moved to Fantome Island, now uninhabited, which once served as a government-run leprosarium and medical isolation facility for people suffering from Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) between 1939 and 1973.
At the government’s request, Catholic priests and religious sisters staffed the island, dedicating 50 years of service in spiritual and practical care.
The bishops paused to pray among the headstones of the cemetery that remained on the island.
“These places are steeped in the memory of much suffering, but are also a testament to the resilience of the local community and to the faithful commitment of those who have worked to provide spiritual and practical care to particularly isolated and vulnerable people,” Archbishop Mackinlay said.
On Wednesday, the Queensland bishops celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Townsville.
FULLS TORY
Queensland bishops visit and pray with communities in Townsville and Palm Island (By Joe Higgins, The Catholic Leader)
