Tasmania bids a fond farewell to Fr Gerald Quinn
By Josh Low
After 33 years of ministry in the Archdiocese, Fr Gerald Quinn CP has been relocated by the Passionists from St Joseph’s Church in Hobart to Nazareth House in Melbourne to better care for his mobility issues.
Having recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, Fr Gerald’s ministry in Tasmania includes serving as the Catholic Chaplain at Royal Hobart Hospital for 31 years.
Those 31 years saw him called to the bedside of a dying person approximately 50 times a year, to be present with them and administer the sacraments.
Fr Gerald was involved in many initiatives during his ministry in Tasmania including monthly prayer sessions at Hobart’s Parliament House to pray for politicians, and fundraising for pregnant mothers.
Archbishop Julian expressed his gratitude for Fr Gerald’s many years of service to the people of Tasmania.
“I wish to acknowledge Fr Gerald’s wonderful service to the people of Tasmania over the past 33 years, especially his work in hospital chaplaincy.
“We wish God’s abundant blessings upon him as he settles into the next phase of his life and ministry,” Archbishop Julian said.
Fr Gerald has frequently spoken over the years – most recently on the celebration of his sixty years of the priesthood, of his gratitude to God for the privilege of being a priest.
The Archdiocese is grateful to God for the privilege of having Fr Gerald live out his vocation here in Tasmania for the past three decades.