President of Bishops’ Conference expresses delight at appointment of new Perth Archbishop

Media Release
20 February, 2012

President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Philip Wilson has expressed his delight at the appointment by the Holy Father of Bishop Timothy Costelloe as Archbishop of Perth.

Bishop Timothy replaces Archbishop Barry Hickey who has led the faithful of the Diocese since 1991.

Archbishop Philip Wilson said today that this was good news not only for the people of Perth, but for the Church in Australia.

“Bishop Timothy Costelloe is a gifted, highly intelligent pastor who has shown consistent leadership in Melbourne where he has been an Auxiliary Bishop over the past five years”, he said

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“He is a very insightful person who has an excellent pastoral manner and a keen intellect”, he said.

“He will bring many new blessings to the Archdiocese of Perth, one of our largest Dioceses. This is indeed an honour for him to have been chosen to lead this Diocese and I will be praying for the Lord to bless him as he prepares for his installation”, said Archbishop Wilson.

Bishop Timothy Costelloe joined the Salesian order in 1977 at 22 years of age and following a diverse ministry as a parish priest, lecturer and theology professor, was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne on 30 April, 2007.

Archbishop Wilson said that the Archbishop-elect would be warmly welcomed by the people of Perth.

“Bishop Timothy spent a number of years there as a Parish Priest and theology lecturer so he is already known to people in the Diocese”, said Archbishop Wilson.

At the beginning of 1996 he was Parish Priest of St Joachim’s Parish, Victoria Park in the Archdiocese of Perth, whilst teaching theology at Notre Dame University in Fremantle and continuing doctoral studies part-time.

Archbishop Barry Hickey will continue as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Perth until the installation of Bishop Timothy Costelloe.

“I take this opportunity to extend by gratitude to Archbishop Barry Hickey for his generous service to the Archdiocese over many years and wish him well in his retirement”, said Archbishop Wilson.

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