A SPECIAL Mass for Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville and all cancer sufferers was to be held in the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Thursday, January 10.
This followed release of news Townsville’s popular bishop had been recently diagnosed with stomach cancer which had spread to his lymph glands.
Townsville diocese’s acting vicar general Fr Michael Taylor said Bishop Putney had received the diagnosis in mid-December.
Fr Taylor said he had only just delivered the news to honour the bishop’s request not to burden the community with his pain during Christmas.
“Bishop Michael was able to celebrate all the Christmas liturgies that were planned, attend all Christmas functions and carry out all other responsibilities before leaving for a short holiday with his family on Boxing Day,” he said.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said “everybody knows Bishop Putney”.
“He is the foremost leader of the Catholic community here in the city and has fostered bringing together the religious groups,” she said.
“We will all be behind him throughout his journey and he will be in our thoughts and prayers.”
Fr Taylor said Bishop Putney had been feeling unwell for a short time before undergoing a series of tests.
Since the diagnosis, the bishop has met with a surgeon in Brisbane to ascertain treatment required.
“It will most likely involve chemotherapy and surgery in the near future,” Fr Taylor said.
Bishop Putney has asked priests and people in the diocese to pray for him and all those who have cancer “that we may all have the grace of always knowing how we are held in the loving embrace of God”.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by Townsville diocese on January 9, it was reported that Bishop Putney had provided an update on his medical condition after consultation with specialists in Brisbane.
“It is with sadness that I inform the Townsville community the biopsy results have shown that Bishop Michael’s stomach cancer has now spread to his liver,” acting vicar general Fr Michael Taylor said.
“It is untreatable and incurable, Bishop Michael will undergo a course of chemotherapy to alleviate some of the symptoms.”
Bishop Putney conveyed this news with great calm and courage.
He expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, especially the prayers.
He said he was completely at peace about what would happen and left his future entirely in the hands of God.
The statement said Bishop Putney would return to Townsville next week and do his utmost in his remaining time to fulfill his ministry as Bishop of Townsville.
