Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Melbourne (Fides Service) - Catholics in Melbourne are celebrating the recent appointment of two new Auxiliary Bishops Bishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and Bishop Peter Elliot, to flank Archbishop Denis Hart in the pastoral guidance of the largest Catholic diocese in Australia: “I am happy and grateful for this appointment by Pope Benedict XVI: I am sure the new bishops will dedicate themselves without reserve, with all their heart, faith and energy to help build up the Church in Melbourne”, the Archbishop said.
Both men were serving as priests in the archdiocese: Bishop elect Costelloe, born in Melbourne, was parish priest at Clifton Hill and rector of a Salesian Study House in the same area as well as teacher at Melbourne Catholic College of Theology.
Bishop elect Elliott was parish priest at Malvern East as well as Bishops' delegate for religious education. He is also director of the local John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family having worked for some years at the Pontifical Council for the Family in the Vatican.
The new Bishops will be ordained together on 15 June in St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne. The Catholic community is preparing to celebrate the day with great rejoicing. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2007 righe 25 parole 254)
