Father Ken Howell will be ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Brisbane at St Stephen’s Cathedral on Wednesday 14 June at 11.00am.
27 Bishops from around Australia will attend the episcopal ordination of the locally born priest who until recently ran the country’s largest Catholic parish at Burleigh Heads.
He has previously served as a secretary to an Archbishop and Dean of the Cathedral.
Born in 1958, Bishop-Elect Howell graduated from St James’ College before entering Pius XII Seminary at Banyo in 1977.
He was ordained in 1983. He also holds an educational degree from the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy in Rome.
Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge will consecrate the new Bishop and has given thanks to God for the appointment.
“We are grateful that Pope Francis has chosen a gifted man of wide experience to serve as bishop at this complex time,” Archbishop Coleridge said.
“He has spent many years in parishes as well as on various councils and commissions which has given him a thorough knowledge of the Archdiocese.
“He is well equipped to give fine service not only to the Archdiocese but also to the Queensland Bishops and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.”
Bishop-Elect Howell said the appointment was “both a joy and an exciting challenge”.
“Brisbane is the place of my birth and the Church that has nurtured my faith,” Bishop-Elect Howell said.
“It has been the great blessing of my life to have served here as priest for 34 years.”
“I stand in awe of the ministry I am being asked to fill but through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and love and prayers of the people of God, I look to the future with confidence”.
The Bishop-Elect’s Coat of Arms bears the Latin Parare Vias Eius – Prepare His Ways.
In addition to assisting the Archbishop in Brisbane, Bishop Howell will earn the Titular See of Thamugadi, a defunct diocese located in what is now modern day Algeria.