Pope Francis last night appointed Melbourne Archdiocese Vicar General Fr Joe Caddy as the eighth Bishop of Cairns. Source: ACBC Media Blog.
Bishop-elect Caddy, 64, was born and raised in Melbourne and ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Melbourne in 1990.
From 2002 to 2013 he served as part-time chaplain in the prison ministry team, providing the Sunday worship service and pastoral care to prisoners and their families in Melbourne’s men’s maximum-security prisons.
He served as CEO of CatholicCare (Greater Melbourne, Geelong and Gippsland) from 2004 to 2017, during which time he advised the Victorian and federal governments, Australian Council of Social Service, and other bodies on a range of issues including homelessness, juvenile justice and local government.
“The news of the appointment of Fr Joe Caddy as the next Bishop of Cairns will be greeted by the Catholic community in Cairns with great joy and a sense of expectation and renewed hope,” Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said.
“Fr Joe brings to this new mission and ministry a wealth of experience and many gifts which he will now put at the service of the people of his new diocese.
“He has, in recent years, served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and prior to this has been deeply involved in parish ministry and in the life and mission of the social outreach arm of the archdiocese. His many pastoral gifts will be deeply appreciated in Cairns.”
Bishop-elect Caddy thanked Cairns Diocesan Administrator Fr Kerry Crowley, the clergy, lay staff, and people of Cairns for the care they had taken since the retirement of Bishop James Foley two years ago.
“The request from Pope Francis came unexpectedly, coming completely out of the blue – yet the prospect fills me with joy because I know that the country and waterways of Far North Queensland are some of the most beautiful country in Australia,” he said.
“For now, my prayer is that the Good Lord will continue to guide, protect and bless us all.”
FULL STORY
Melbourne vicar-general becomes Bishop of Cairns (ACBC Media Blog)
RELATED COVERAGE
Diocese of Cairns welcomes appointment of Bishop-Elect Joe Caddy (Cairns Diocese)
Melbourne Vicar General new Bishop for Cairns (Melbourne Catholic)
