PARRAMATTA has a new `chief shepherd’ after the Most Rev Kevin Manning retired as the bishop of the diocese after 13 years. Former parish priest of Watson’s Bay Anthony Fisher has replaced Bishop Manning, who will act as apostolic administrator before his successor starts in March.
At 49, Bishop Fisher is the youngest Catholic bishop in Australia.
He was looking forward to moving west to what he saw as a young, prospering church following.
``What’s attractive about Parramatta is it is a part of the church in Australia that is growing rapidly,’’ he said. ``It’s one of the few dioceses where that is the case. That is due to the new suburbs and immigration in western Sydney.’’
That claim accords with the Advertiser’s recent Pulse survey, which found Parramatta residents were more likely to attend places of worship than people in other parts of Sydney. The Parramatta diocese stretches north to Hawkesbury, south to Wollondilly, and west to the Blue Mountains.
``It means you’ve got a younger average age,’’ Bishop Fisher said of the area. ``I think there are a lot more possibilities than other areas where they are closing churches.’’
Bishop Fisher’s form suggests he has plenty of ideas. He was co-ordinator of World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008 and wants to be part of events in Parramatta.
``Having organised World Youth Day has given me ideas to engage young people in church,’’ he said.
``There is music and forums and debates to get people involved.’’
He cited Theology on Tap, held at P.J. Gallagher’s Irish Pub each month, as an example.
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