Newly appointed Bathurst diocese administrator, Fr Patrick O'Regan, says that he is unable to clarify speculation that the diocese may be merged with neighbouring Wilcannia-Forbes. The Western Advocate reports that Fr O'Regan has been appointed administrator of the Bathurst Catholic diocese following the retirement this week of Bishop Patrick O'Dougherty.
Currently assistant priest in the Cathedral Parish of Bathurst, Fr O'Regan was elected to his new role by the Diocesan Consultors of Bathurst.
"I'm warming the seat for the next Bishop to be announced," Fr O'Regan told the paper.
"The administrator looks after the day to day running of the diocese waiting for the day the new bishop is appointed," Fr O'Regan said, "It could take several months but it could be sooner."
"I am honoured by the trust placed in me and invite people to pray for the diocese as we await the announcement of a new bishop in due course.
"I would also, on behalf of the entire diocesan community, like to express our thanks to Bishop Dougherty for his faithful and fruitful ministry as Bishop of Bathurst over the last 25 years.
"We wish him a peaceful and gracious retirement."
But Fr O'Regan said he was unable to clarify whether a merger with Wilcannia-Forbes diocese would take place.
An ACBC statement adds that Fr O'Regan was born in Bathurst and raised in Perthville and in September this year celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. During these years, he has served the people of God in the Bathurst Diocese as a Deacon, Assistant Priest and Parish Priest in Lithgow, Cowra, Orange, Wellington, Bathurst and Blayney.
A noted liturgist, he studied sacramental theology and liturgy at the Institut Catholique in Paris, graduating in 2002 with an STL. His interests are in pastoral liturgy and the theology of the Eucharist and his love of music and beautiful voice are well known throughout the diocese.
Fr O'Regan is also involved in adult education formation within the Bathurst Diocese and beyond. He is actively engaged in the education of under graduate teachers at Charles Sturt University as a Lecturer in the Certificate of Religious Education (NSW) course offered at the Bathurst and Dubbo campuses.
He is a member of the National Liturgical Commission and has been Chair of the Bathurst Liturgy Commission for a number of years.
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(Source: CTHN)