Bishop Gregory Homeming OCD was ordained the sixth Bishop of Lismore at St Carthage's Cathedral in Lismore on Wednesday last.Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana read the Papal Bull in Latin followed by a translation in English.
On the steps of the cathedral, Jill Rokovada extended a Welcome to Country to Bishop-elect Homeming and the assembled archbishops and bishops on behalf of the Bunjalung people. A smoking ceremony also took place.
Bishop Homeming was born in Sydney on 30 May 1958 to an Australian-Chinese family. He joined the Discalced Carmelite Order in 1985.
The new bishop adopted as his motto, "God Alone Suffices" from St Teresa of Avila, the founder of his Order.
In his opening words, Archbishop Fisher acknowledged "the nuns of the Goonellabah Carmel who for the past fifty years have made the charism of the Carmelite family present in this diocese".
He welcomed visiting clergy and religious, representatives of the other churches, members of the Chinese-Australian community, and other distinguished guests. He also paid tribute to Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett for his service as the fifth Bishop of Lismore from 2001 till now.
"As our first Chinese-Australian prelate, Bishop Homeming is a sign of the changing face of the Church in Australia," Archbishop Fisher said in his homily.
"Some might think this is no time for making new bishops; I sympathise with their disenchantment. But there is a providence in God calling a man like Greg, with his legal background, critical intelligence, spiritual wisdom, pastoral sensitivity, and gentle soul to help lead us forward at this time. Bishop Greg must be a wise leader, a glad shepherd and, finally, an authentic witness to Christ," Archbishop Fisher said.