Media Release, 13 November, 2013

The Holy Father Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop David Louis Walker of Broken Bay. The Bishop turned 75 today, 13 November 2013.

One of six children in a close-knit family, Bishop Walker spent his childhood in the eastern Sydney suburb of Clovelly. He was educated with the Sisters of St Joseph and with the Marist Brothers at Randwick, and attended the Seminary at Springwood and Manly.

Bishop Walker was ordained to the priesthood on 21 July 1962. He was appointed Bishop to the Broken Bay Diocese on 9 July 1996 and was ordained by Cardinal Clancy in Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church, Chatswood on 3 September 1996.

Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference thanked Bishop Walker for his magnificent contribution to the Church and society.

“His love of Theology, passion for adult education, and welcoming pastoral care are highly esteemed by all of us, and we are grateful for his contribution to the work of the bishops and the commissions, especially that of Church Ministry. His gifted work and friendship since his appointment as bishop of Broken Bay in 1996 is esteemed by all. We wish him every blessing in retirement”, he said.

Bishop Walker has spoken about the great privilege it has been to offer pastoral care to the people of Broken Bay over the last 17 years.

“I am grateful for the response of the people of the Diocese to my ministry, particularly in the area of faith formation and education.

“One of the most enjoyable aspects has been the sharing of faith experiences with the faithful. I hope that will continue in the future.”

With the desire to reach out to make serious theological study and reflection accessible to all, Bishop Walker became a co-founder of the Catholic Correspondence Centre in 1973. The positive response provided momentum to found the Centre for Christian Spirituality at Randwick in 1978 and later the establishment of The Broken Bay Institute in 2003. His promotion of lectio divina through new media has taken the Word of God in to the hearts and homes of people throughout Australia and the world.

“My ministry as Bishop has enabled me to reach out to people throughout Australia, and I am happy to have made a contribution to their journey to God.”

Bishop Walker has served on a number of Commissions of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference including Education, Mission and Faith Formation and Church Ministry. He will retire to Chatswood in Sydney and hopes to continue his work in furthering adult faith formation.

For media enquiries, please contact Beth Doherty 0407 081 256 or Annie Carrett 0439 600 233