On Fifty Years a Priest

This month I celebrated fifty years as a priest. It is natural at such significant milestones in one’s life to pause and reflect.

Looking back over the years I am drawn to remember my calling to the priesthood which occurred when I was in year five or six in Primary School. I have thought about my experience of entering the seminary at Springwood in the Blue Mountains with 37 others. I think about what was in my mind and heart on the day of my ordination in September 1974, and the celebration of my Mass of Thanksgiving on the following day in my home parish of St Kevin’s, Eastwood.

Then my mind wanders over the years of parish ministry that followed. I remember with gratitude the many happy experiences in the various parishes across Sydney – Kingsgrove, Manly, Mona Vale, The Entrance, Woy Woy, Annandale, and Dulwich Hill. I recall the many wonderful people of faith that I met as I served in these parishes. I recall with great gratitude the warmth and acceptance I experienced from so many as a ministered among them.

During this time, as well as parish duties, I was very active in youth ministry and in renewal movements. These experiences were very formative and shaped the character of my priestly ministry. I recall the many blessings that I witnessed flowing in the lives of people who opened their hearts and lives to God as I engaged in evangelisation.

Fifty years on I look back with joy on those rich and good years as a young priest, and the many people with whom I shared the journey of the Christian life.

My journey, unexpectantly, took me to become Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Sydney, a role I had for seven years. Then the great surprise was being named as Auxiliary Bishop to Cardinal George Pell in 2003. The experience of being a bishop was extraordinary as it opened up new levels of expressing my priesthood and broadened the horizons of my ministry.

After ten years as an Auxiliary Bishop, Pope Francis named me as Archbishop of Hobart. I was aware of the great responsibility that had been entrusted to me. I have now served in Tasmania for eleven years.

As I have turned 75, I enter a new phase of my priestly life as my resignation as bishop has been accepted and I await the choice of my successor as Archbishop of Hobart.

I look back over the years and marvel at the goodness and mercy of God. I see my life as one caught up in a stream of grace. Keenly knowing my many weaknesses and shortcomings, I am grateful that I have been able to devote my life to the noble calling of the priesthood in the Church.

My prayer is that my ministry as priest and bishop has been a source of grace and blessing for those I have been called to serve. And I feel a little like Simeon who encountered the Christ child in the temple. He said, “Now Lord you can let your servant go in peace”. Once I have stepped aside as Archbishop I place my final years in the hands of the Lord.