General News
26 August, 2022
Cairns Bishop retires after 30 years of service to the region
CAIRNS Bishop James Foley’s resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on Sunday, August 21 – 30 years to the day from his episcopal ordination to serve the Far North Queensland diocese.
More than 600 people attended a farewell Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral on Sunday evening, around the time the resignation was confirmed by the Holy See.
Among those on hand to pay tribute to Bishop Foley were Cairns Vicar General Fr Frank Gordon, Mayor Bob Manning and Sr Faye Kelly RSM.
Sr Faye remembered first meeting the new bishop back in 1992.
“We came to meet the new bishop and meet you we did,” she recalled.
“You invited us to call you James and indeed it has been James who has gone out to the people.”
Bishop Foley offered his resignation to Pope Francis in December 2019 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The coronavirus pandemic delayed his plans for departure.
At the conclusion of the farewell Mass, Bishop Foley laid his crozier – a shepherd’s staff – on the altar to signify that the See of Cairns was now vacant. A tassel was also tied around the cathedra, or bishop’s chair.
The diocese’s College of Consultors met on Monday, August 22, to elect a diocesan administrator to serve until a new bishop is appointed. Fr Kerry Crowley (Innisfail Parish Priest) will take on that role.
The farewell liturgy can be viewed on YouTube at: https://bit.ly/3wu3S2q
