Retired Bishop of the Sale Diocese Jeremiah Coffey, left, with Sale Diocese’s new Bishop Christopher Prowse, discussed visions for the future at St Michael’s Old Presbytery, Berwick on Friday, just hours after Bishop Prowse’s appointment was announced at the Vatican. 32333 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Jade Lawton
POPE Benedict XVI appointed Christopher Charles Prowse the eighth Bishop of the Sale Diocese last week.
The appointment of Bishop Prowse, 55, was announced at the Vatican at 8pm Melbourne time last Thursday.
It is welcome news for parishioners, who have been without a Bishop since Bishop Jeremiah Coffey retired in January 2008.
The two Bishops came together at Berwick last Friday.
Father Peter Slater has acted as administrator for the Diocese, which begins at Narre Warren and Cranbourne and extends across Gippsland to Victoria’s most eastern point, Cape Howe.
Bishop Prowse said he had little experience of Gippsland, but was looking forward to learning about the parishioners, who he said had displayed great signs of Catholic maturity.
“The main challenge for the church at the moment is the proclamation of Jesus Christ afresh in a new will of hope,” he said.
“A Bishop is the leader of the Catholic community to teach, to lead people to holiness and speak in a coherent manner as shepherd and leader.”
Bishop Prowse grew up in Blackburn and attended primary and secondary school in Box Hill.
He has attained a Bachelor of Arts (Monash 1978), a Bachelor of Theology (MCD 1979), a Licentiate in Moral Theology (Gregorian University, Rome, 1987), and a Doctorate in Moral Theology (Lateran University – Alphonsianum, Rome, 1995).
In 2003, Pope John Paul II named him Titular Bishop of Bahanna and Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne.
He was ordained a bishop at St Patrick’s Cathedral on 19 May 2003 and had pastoral responsibility for the Southern Region of Melbourne until 2007.
He has been involved in organising Days in the Diocese and World Youth Day, and has been active in the apostolate to the Aboriginal community, migrants, interfaith, and new ecclesiastical communities.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him a Member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
Despite his achievements, Bishop Prowse said his “main claim to fame” was that his father, Frank Prowse, was a ruckman for Hawthorn’s VFL side from 1948-1951.
“(Hawthorn) runs through the veins of the Prowse family,” he said.
“Regrettably the life of a Bishop is busy on weekends, but I do follow it on the radio.”
Bishop Prowse said he would be touring the Sale Diocese soon.
“My first role will be to visit the Diocese and get to know the Catholic communities, and let them get to know me,” Bishop Prowse said.
“God has given me two ears and one mouth so I will be listening twice as much as speaking.”
The solemn Mass and liturgical reception of Bishop Prowse as Bishop of Sale Diocese will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, at 2pm on Wednesday 15 July.
