By Jamie O’Brien
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has this week welcomed the news of the appointment of Fr Michael Morrissey as the new Bishop of Geraldton.
Bishop-Elect Morrissey will take the reins of the Diocese from June 28, where he will be ordained in what is set to be a monumental celebration at Nagle Catholic College by Archbishop Costelloe, together with retiring Bishop of Geraldton Justin Bianchini, Emeritus Archbishop of Perth and former Bishop of Geraldton, Barry Hickey as well as numerous fellow Bishops from across Australia.
The rare occasion Episcopal Ordination will be concelebrated with two Emeritus Bishops of the diocese of a Bishop-Elect.
Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana will also be present for the occasion.
“Bishop-Elect Morrissey will bring to this new role a deep knowledge of and love for the diocese and its people,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“His many gifts, which he has so generously shared with the people of the diocese throughout his priestly life and in particular in his role as Vicar-General, will now come to full fruition as he accepts the challenge and the privilege of being their bishop, their shepherd-leader, ‘after the mind of Christ’,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with The eRecord, Bishop-Elect Morrissey said he is thankful to the very faithful and committed community from where he has come.
Bishop-Elect Morrissey spoke about his upbringing on Noongall sheep station in Yalgoo, 217km east of Geraldton, noting that as young children they had the freedom to run around in bare feet on the station.
Bishop-Elect Morrissey continued saying he only wore shoes when he went to school at Aquinas College in Perth at the age of 12.
Bishop-Elect Morrissey is the first Bishop of Geraldton who was born, raised, ordained and ministered in the Diocese and said his appointment recognises all the small communities scattered throughout the diocese.
“Following in Bishop Justin Bianchini’s footsteps is very special, having worked closely with him for the past 25 years,” Bishop-Elect Morrissey said.
“I hope to continue the legacy of Bishop Justin, listening to the people and seeing where they would like to go in their faith and life.”
Born at St John of God Hospital Geraldton on 9 September 1952, Bishop-Elect Morrissey was educated at Aquinas College, Perth, continuing his studies at St Charles Seminary in Perth and later at St Francis Xavier Seminary, Adelaide.
He was ordained a priest on 31 January 1981 in St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Geraldton. From 1981 to 1984, he worked as Assistant Priest in the Parishes of Bluff Point and Port Hedland, serving as Administrator in the Parishes of Bluff Point, Port Hedland and South Hedland between 1984 and 1985.
The 64-year old Bishop-Elect was appointed Parish Priest of Karratha in 1985 until 1992 when he became Administrator of the Cathedral in Geraldton until 2007.
He held this role again from April 2014 until today. Bishop-Elect Morrissey was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese in 1994 for nine years and his mission was renewed in 2006 until the present day. In 2007, he was also nominated Vicar General of Geraldton.
He has been a long standing member of the College of Consultors, from 1991 to present, and the Presbyteral Council, 1983-1998, 2003-present, which he chaired between 1994 and 1996 and between 2004 and 2006.
Since 1983, he has been a Chaplain of the Army Reserve, finishing as the Senior Chaplain of the Second Division.
In 2015, Bishop-Elect Morrissey was appointed as Parish Priest Representative to the Board of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia.
Spending time in the garden, swimming in the pool, walking and playing golf are among his hobbies.
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton also congratulated the new Bishop-Elect, having studied with him when they were seminarians at St Charles Seminary.
“He has had the opportunity to work in so many areas of life in his Diocese of Geraldton, including parishes and administration, which gives him great knowledge of the people and needs of the local church,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“More recently, we have worked together as members of the Catholic Education Commission of WA, where I have seen how he is vitally interested in the provision of the best possible education opportunities for the children of the diocese.
“I am grateful that Bishop-Elect Morrissey has generously accepted the appointment. He can be assured of my prayer as he prepares for his ordination as a bishop and of my support as he becomes a member of the WA Province of Bishops,” Bishop Sproxton said.
Pope Francis has also accepted the resignation of Bishop Justin Bianchini who has been Bishop of Geraldton since March 1992.
He has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until the new bishop is ordained on Wednesday, 28 June 2017 in Geraldton.