The Pope has appointed Fr Timothy Harris, a priest of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, as the sixth Bishop of Townsville.
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Bishop-Elect Harris comes from the Gold Coast where he is currently the parish priest of Surfers Paradise.
Bishop-Elect Harris said he was conscious the diocese had been without a bishop for three years since the 2014 death of Bishop Micheal Putney with Mount Isa parish priest Fr Mick Lowcock acting as diocesan administrator since then.
“If the bishop is a sign of unity, which he is, I hope that I can strengthen the unity of the vast Diocese of Townsville and build on the work of Bishop Putney and Fr Mick,” Bishop-Elect Harris said.
‘I’ve been a pastor all my life so I would like to understand the diocese through the eyes of the local people. people.
“I’d like to build on the good things going on in the diocese already,” he said.
“As the new bishop, I will need to listen to the local experience and learn from the people.”
Fr Mick Lowcock welcomed the appointment saying Fr Tim would bring energy, vitality and drive to the position and he hoped he would visit the north west soon after his appointment, which expected in May.
Also welcoming the new appointment, Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said Fr Tim was a fine priest and a wonderful pastor in a large parish.
“I rejoice with the people of Townsville as they prepare to welcome their new shepherd who will serve with renowned generosity,” he said.
Born in Brisbane on 29 October 1962, Bishop-Elect Harris received his primary education at Nundah Convent and Virginia State School and secondary education at St Joseph’s Nudgee College.
After graduation, he joined the Bank of New South Wales, working in public relations for five years.
After priestly formation at Pius XII Provincial Seminary in Brisbane, he was ordained a Deacon in 1991 and ordained a Priest in November 1992.
The Bishop-Elect served as Associate Pastor in the parishes of Grovely and Caboolture, and as Parish Priest in Corinda Graceville (1996-2010) and Surfers Paradise (2010-2017). He has also served the Archdiocese of Brisbane as the Dean of Western Deanery and the South Coast Deanery, as Chair of the Taskforce for Pastoral Planning, and as a Member of Personnel Board, the Clergy Appointment Advisory Board and the Council of Priests.
Bishop-Elect Harris said he enjoyed Irish music and the beach.
“I have a general appreciation of all sports, however I know that the word in Townsville is “Cowboys” and I think, out of necessity, I will be following them,” he said.
His parents, Shirley and Jim, and sister Jennifer live in Brisbane.
“Mum and Dad have been on my mind a lot since the news, as they are in their nineties and live in Brisbane. I drive to visit them every week but now I’ll be taking a plane down to see them less often,” he said.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
