September, 2003

Click on a thumb-nail image to see the full-size picture. All except the last two photographs are from Slide-show of the event, by Shaun Patterson of WinkiPoP Media, and are used courtesy of Catholic Communications, Sydney.
Father Anthony Fisher was ordained bishop in a magnificent ceremony in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on 3rd September, the feast of St Gregory the Great. He has been appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, along with Fr Julian Porteous, who was ordained bishop with Fr Anthony. Bishop Fisher's titular see is Buruni in North Africa. Dominicans travelled from all over Australia (and one from Scotland!) to rejoice with the new bishop, who was ordained by Archbishop Pell of Sydney as Principal Consecrator, and Cardinal Edward Clancy (Emeritus Archbishop of Sydney) and Bishop Bernard O'Grady, O.P. (of Gizo, Solomon Islands) as principal co-consecrators. Archbishop Pell preached a stirring homily. About thirty other bishops assisted. The pictures show various moments during the ordination ceremony, concluding with newly ordained Bishop Fisher walking among the people in the Cathedral to bless them as the Te Deum is sung, giving his first address as bishop, and leaving the sanctuary flanked by his assisting priests, Fr Mark O'Brien (Prior of St Dominic's, Melbourne) and Fr Tom Cassidy (Prior Provincial). Pictured with Bishop Fisher after the ceremony are: [Standing, L to R.] Fr Martin Wallace, Fr Ephraem Chifley, Bishop Fisher, Bro. Ted Petch, Fr Joseph Vnuk, Bro. Bede Denham (obscured), Bro. Vincent Magat, Fr Tom Cassidy (Prior Provincial), and Bro. Mannes Tellis; (kneeling) Fr Christopher Dowd and Bro. Paul Rowse. On the top right of this page is Bishop Fisher's crest, with its motto, Veritatem facientes in caritate - "Living the truth in charity" (Eph 4:15).
LINKS: Homily of Archbishop Pell Address of Bishop Fisher Address of Bishop Porteus PDF format - both new bishops' addresses. Slide-show of the event, by Shaun Patterson (WinkiPoP Media).
Now pour out on your chosen one that power which is from you, the governing Spirit, whom you gave to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Spirit given by him to the holy apostles, who founded the Church in every place to be your temple for the unceasing glory and praise of your name. - From the Prayer of Consecration of a Bishop in the Roman Pontifical

CLICK HERE to return to the Province of the Assumption HOME PAGE.   

Comments are welcome -  CLICK HERE to mail them.