President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Denis Hart warmly welcomes the appointment by the Holy Father Pope Francis of the Reverend Michael McCarthy as the Bishop of Rockhampton.
“Father McCarthy has already shown distinctive leadership in the care of clergy and people in Brisbane. I know he will receive a gracious and enthusiastic welcome in his new diocese,” said Archbishop Hart.
Born on 13 September 1950, Fr McCarthy was educated at Greenmount State School and Downland College in Toowoomba.
After obtaining the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from the University of Southern Queensland, he studied for the priesthood at St Paul’s National Seminary, Sydney.
He qualified with a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Queensland.
Fr McCarthy was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Brisbane on 19 August 1978 and commenced his priesthood as Associate Pastor, Gympie in 1979.
Between 2009-2013, Fr McCarthy was Dean of Brisbane Northern Rivers Deanery and Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Redcliffe.
Prior to this, Fr McCarthy was Rector of Holy Spirit Seminary, Brisbane.
The 63-year-old priest has been until now the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy of the Archdiocese of Brisbane and Parish Priest of Hendra and Northgate.
“I am humbled by the appointment by His Holiness, Pope Francis, as Bishop of Rockhampton. I look forward to many years of service as Bishop to the priests, religious Sisters and Brothers and the Catholic people of the Diocese,” said Bishop-elect McCarthy.
“Our prayers and wishes go with him as he prepares for ordination as a bishop, and as Rockhampton welcomes its new chief pastor,” said Archbishop Hart.
The Diocese of Rockhampton has been vacant since the retirement of Bishop Brian Heenan on 1 October 2013.
Released by The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference
March 10, 2014