News for Parramatta

This morning, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI appointed a new bishop for the Diocese of Parramatta (Australia).

Two separate acts actually took place today: the Holy Father accepted the resignation from pastoral government of the Diocese presented by His Excellency, Kevin Michael Manning whose reached the age of 75 and therefore must submit his letter of resignation in accordance with the provisions of Canon Law (cn. 401, 1);

The second act announced is the appointment of the new leader for Parramatta, His Excellency, Anthony Colin Fisher, OP. If memory still serves well enough, I believe that His Excellency was the Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney who was put in charge of the organization of World Youth Day 2008, commonly referred to as Wydsyd.

Australia has been in the news lately because of a miracle recently attributed to the intercession of Blessed Mary McKillop. With the approval of this miracle the way to her canonization has effectively been paved and can be expected imminently. Mary McKillop would be the very first Aussie-born saint, so there's great cause for excitement among Catholics down under.