Toowoomba welcomes Bishop Howell
National
Bishop Ken Howell was installed as the seventh bishop of Toowoomba in St Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday July 11.
More than 800 people gathered, including 23 bishops and 140 clergy who joined civic and community leaders, parish delegates and inter-faith representatives in welcoming Bishop Howell to the community. Bishop Howell was previously Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane.
The celebration was full of moments that link the diocese’s past to the present and future. The date has special significance with Bishop Robert McGuckin’s ordination as the sixth bishop of Toowoomba held on the same date 11 years prior. Bishop McGuckin, with Bishop William Morris, the fifth Bishop of Toowoomba, presented Bishop Howell with the crosier of the first bishop of Toowoomba, Bishop James Byrne.
During his homily, Bishop Howell acknowledged that the day’s events heralded not only a new chapter for the diocese but a “continuation of a story that has been guided by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit”.
“My first task is to get to know you and to do as Pope Francis urges us to do, to listen deeply to your story and to grow in love of the people entrusted to my care,” Bishop Howell said.
Bishop Howell and Tom Jolley, on behalf of the diocese, also gave thanks for the ministry and leadership of Bishop McGuckin.
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