pathways, August 2007
Australia's newest Bishop, the Most Rev. Tim Costelloe SDB, has called on the Church to be a people of hope, trusting in the God of Mary and Peter.
The Australian Provincial, Fr Frank Moloney SDB, meanwhile says that while the Salesians have lost a senior priest, Bishop Costelloe is also a gift from the congregation to the Australian Church.
Speaking on the night of his Episcopal ordination, Bishop Costelloe said that Simon Peter had allowed himself to look beyond what he knew, or thought he knew - the business of fishing - entrusting himself to the word and the invitation of Jesus.
"Sometimes the Lord calls us beyond what we know or think we know into a future where he can draw out of us things that perhaps only he can see within us," he said.
"The same pattern of course is there in the story of the calling of Mary ...
"When she allowed herself to believe the assurance of the angel ... she was able to find within her the courage to say yes, not trusting in her own gifts or capabilities but rather in the promise of God's overshadowing presence and grace."
God had stepped into the lives of both himself and Bishop Peter Elliott, also ordained Bishop in the same Mass, calling them to something new.
"We are trying to respond with something of the courage, the humility and the faith of Simon Peter and Mary," Bishop Costelloe said.
"What is true of us is true of everyone here in the Cathedral tonight ... In the joy of this celebration of the Church, let us all be people of hope. Let us leave the Cathedral tonight renewed in our confidence that God is with us as he promised to be; that we are united with Christ in love; that the Holy Spirit is constantly at work in us enabling us to be the people, the Church, God has created us for and is inviting us to be."
Bishops Costelloe and Elliott were ordained to be auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Melbourne on Friday, June 15, the feast of the Sacred Heart. Bishop Costelloe who will be the Auxiliary for the Northern Region of the Archdiocese has been appointed to the Australian Catholic Bishops' Commission on Doctrine and Morals. Bishop Elliott who will be the Auxiliary for the Southern Region has been appointed to the Australian Catholic Bishops' Commission on Pastoral Life. (Archbishop Denis Hart's
homily) (
Kairos coverage)
At a Salesian gathering to celebrate the ordination, Fr Moloney (pictured bottom, extreme right) said: "There is a sense of loss and regret when a Salesian Province like ours loses one of its senior priests to the episcopacy.
"Indeed, panic sets in as a Provincial and his Council ask themselves: How are we ever going to cover the loss of the person in charge of the formation of all Salesians, both new and old, the Rector of the House of Formation, a Parish Priest, a much-sought after teacher at the Seminary, and a member of the Provincial Council?
"But then it is time to remember one of the fundamental truths of the Christian tradition: everything is gift! Who we are and what we are called to do for the Lord and for God's people is itself a gift.
"Our call to be Salesians, Brothers and Priests, and now Bishops, is all gift. Who are we to question the way the Lord distributes his gifts? It is, therefore, with a sense of playing a collaborative role with God's design that we 'gift' Tim Costelloe to the Church of Melbourne.
"As well as the theological basis for this understanding of what has happened to Tim and to the Salesians in Australia and the Pacific in these days, there is also a sense of belonging to the Church as a whole that was fundamental to the mind and heart of Don Bosco.
"The Salesians of Don Bosco are not an end in themselves. They belong to the local and Universal Church.
"Tim, we are proud to be able to offer your many skills and your zeal as a priest and now Bishop to the Church of Melbourne. Never forget, however, where you will always find your home."
photographs ...
top: Bishop Timothy Costelloe SDB with Fr Julian Cavarzan SBD
middle and left: At a Mass of Thanksgiving at Chadstone, Melbourne
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