AUSTRALIA
The Australian
JORDAN BAKER THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH JUNE 15, 2014
CATHOLICISM’S top job in Australia remains vacant almost four months after Cardinal George Pell said he was heading to Rome, despite the Vatican saying his replacement would be fast-tracked.
Some church watchers believe the delay is due to tension over the appointment, which comes as senior clergy are grilled over their response to child sexual abuse at the royal commission.
Many in the Catholic Church believe an announcement is imminent. But if a new Archbishop of Sydney is not announced in the next few weeks, the key position will likely remain empty until September because Rome shuts down during the hot months of July and August.
Former priest Paul Collins said the four-month wait might point to problems.
“It’s taking some time, which probably means there’s something of a tussle going on,” he said.
Cardinal Pell will be highly influential in the selection of his replacement. He is the only Australian member of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, which will recommend a candidate for Sydney to the Pope. …
The contenders
Anthony Fisher, 54
Bishop of Parramatta, was the youngest ever bishop when ordained in 2003. Has Pell’s strong support, but seen by some as too young, and others as too academic.
From Dominican order, not a diocesan priest.
Mark Coleridge, 65
Archbishop of Brisbane, (right) previously auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne and Archbishop of Canberra. Well-respected, spent time in Rome but new to Brisbane and it’s been a long time since he was a hands-on priest.
Bill Wright, 61
Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, ordained a bishop in 2011. Knows Sydney as he spent many years as a suburban priest. Considered to have handled sex abuse inquiry well, but may still be tainted by the issue.
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