By Emilie Ng
BRISBANE has been the pastoral stepping stone for newly-ordained Bishop Michael McCarthy, who now looks to Rockhampton as the diocese where he could leave an even greater legacy.
The 10th Bishop of Rockhampton stood before hundreds at St Joseph’s Cathedral on May 29 and with joy proclaimed himself “Michael, your Bishop”.
The divine moment when he went from priest to bishop was signified by a warm and gracious smile.
God’s chosen one for Rockhampton was more than happy; he was filled with supernatural joy.
Evangelisation is first on Bishop McCarthy’s list, as he explained in his first address.
“The risen Lord invites us to toss out the net, so that the Father’s love reaches far and wide without exemption or exclusion, so that all can be included in the house of the Father,” Bishop McCarthy said.
“Our pastoral ministry as bishop, priests, religious, people of the diocese, is working together and rethinking and finding new ways to be missionaries, so the net becomes full for our faith working through love and we are promised the net will never tear.
“We are messengers of giving hope, peace and reassurance.”
