As the Church continues to rejoice in the Easter season and the Risen Lord, the community of Broken Bay gathered for a moment of thanksgiving.
Easter Wednesday, 8 April, marked the 40th anniversary of the proclamation of the Diocese of Broken Bay when Pope John Paul II decreed that Broken Bay should be a Local Church.
Until this time, the area, including the North Shore, Northern Beaches and Central Coast regions were considered within the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Bishop Patrick Murphy was appointed the first Bishop, and installed by Cardinal Edward Clancy in May 1986.
Celebrating Mass at the Cathedral at Waitara yesterday, Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, recently appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts by Pope Leo XIV, and now the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, used the crozier or hooked staff, carried by Bishop Murphy during his installation.
The Mass was attended by parishioners and parish priests, administrative and Catholic School Broken Bay colleagues.
In his homily Archbishop Randazzo said that what began as a young and hopeful community of the Church has, by the grace of God, grown and matured across four decades of faith, service, and witness.
“Through Catholic education, engagement in public schools, health care, aged care, pastoral ministry, and countless acts of mercy and charity, the clergy and people of this Diocese have sought to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ not only in word, but in action. In doing so, they have helped to shape a communities of grace marked by care, reconciliation, and peace across the North Shore, the Northern Beaches, and the Central Coast.
“Yet we also acknowledge, with humility and sorrow, that there have been times when we have failed in our mission. Some members of the Church, both clerics and laity, have caused harm, particularly to children and vulnerable people. For this, we ask pardon and forgiveness. We renew our commitment to ensure that our communities are places of safety, dignity, and protection, where crime and sin find no shelter, and where every person is respected as a child of God.”
Archbishop Randazzo also invited the community of the Diocese into a renewed encounter with the Risen Lord.
“Jesus stands among us. He walks with us. He speaks to our hearts. He is present in his Word and in the breaking of the bread. And he sends us out, as witnesses in this time and place, to bring hope, healing, and life to the world,” he said.
“Let this anniversary be a moment of truth and grace, a time to give thanks for all that has been good, and to acknowledge honestly what has not been. May we embrace anew the Good News of Jesus Christ and renew our commitment to discipleship, to fidelity to God, and to living the Gospel with courage and love through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“As we look to the future, may we never forget where we have come from, so that we do not lose sight of where God is leading us and sending us.”
Following Bishop Murphy’s retirement, Bishop David Walker was Bishop of the Diocese followed by Bishop Peter Comensoli. Bishop Anthony Randazzo, the fourth bishop, was appointed in October 2019. He will leave the Diocese in July to take up his appointment at the Vatican.
A Liturgical Celebration and 40th Anniversary Diocesan Dinner will also be held to mark the occasion in late May.
