By PAUL DOBBYN
THE ordination of Rockhampton’s tenth bishop Michael McCarthy will be live streamed from St Joseph’s Cathedral on Thursday.
The celebrations will begin with evening prayer the night before of his episcopal ordination.
Apostolic administrator Fr John Grace said this meant those unable to attend would be able to view the “once in a generation event” at home on YouTube.
About 1500 people are expected to attend the episcopal ordination with many thousands more to watch via the technical alternatives.
The live stream of the evening prayer will start at 5.15pm on May 28 and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwyiYXluLic.
Bishop-elect McCarthy’s ordination the following day, Thursday May 29 will start at 11am and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jeks72zWK8 or https://www.youtube.com/user/StJosephsCathRton.
Fr Grace said in addition a live telecast of the event would be available in all the diocese’s school halls.
“Seating inside the cathedral will be extremely tight,” he said.
“Temporary seating will be available inside the cathedral and in the sheltered area adjoining the cathedral.
“In addition, if demand warrants it, further seating will be available in Our Lady’s Hall at The Cathedral College.”
Bishop-elect McCarthy, 63, learnt of his appointment on Monday, March 10.
At the time, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, in his statement on the appointment, indicated Fr McCarthy would be a worthy successor to Rockhampton’s much-loved Bishop Brian Heenan.
“Bishop-elect McCarthy has been a great contributor to the Church in Brisbane and Queensland through the years, serving as parish priest, seminary rector, vicar for clergy and director of Clergy Life and Ministry,” he said.
“This wide pastoral experience means that he is unusually well-equipped for what awaits him in Rockhampton.
“As a son of Toowoomba, he is no stranger to the rural areas that lie beyond the capital.
“Bishop-elect McCarthy will be much missed in Brisbane and our farewell to him will be tinged with sadness.”
