THE Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s outspoken migrant and refugee advocate, Sandhurst Bishop Joseph Grech, died suddenly on 28 December after a recurrence of a blood disorder. He was 62.
Bishop Grech took ill on 22 December and his condition deteriorated on Christmas Day before he died peacefully in St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Melbourne with Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Mark Coleridge, the Australian Bishops’ Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office director, Scalabrinian Fr Maurizio Pettena and close friends by his side.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Administrator Mgr Frank Marriott has been appointed the Administrator of the Diocese until a new Bishop is appointed. The funeral Mass is to be held on 6 January at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said in a statement on 28 December that Bishop Grech “frequently spoke out on the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, and he matched these words with pastoral action, through his involvement in the establishment of services in remote detention centres”. Archbishop Wilson added that Bishop Grech was “an exceptional pastor” who has “made a “tremendous contribution to the Church in Australia because of his deep faith and spirituality, which has been shown especially in the zeal with which he dealt with issues of migrants and refugees and his outreach to young people”.
“He has also shown a wonderful support and commitment to Charismatic prayer groups in this country”, Archbishop Wilson said of Maltese-born Bishop Grech, who was installed as the sixth Bishop of Sandhurst on 27 April 2001. “Bishop Joe’s commitment to the people of the Diocese of Sandhurst was that of a man with a deep love for humanity and a great enthusiasm for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bishop Joe is quoted as saying: ‘I love Jesus Christ and want everyone to have the same opportunities to know and love Him as I do’.”
Bishop Grech was also the Bishops’ delegate for Youth and Young Adults as well as serving as their advocate for migrants and refugees – roles that Archbishop Wilson said he served “with joy and a deep compassion”.
“Young people around Australia will feel particularly keenly the loss of Bishop Joe whose enthusiastic manner, unique and charismatic style of preaching and gentle pastoral sensibility helped many young people encounter the spirit of Jesus Christ.”
Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, where Bishop Grech first served after his 1974 ordination, said he was a “committed, joyful and enthusiastic proclaimer of the Good News of the Gospel. His attractive love of Jesus Christ endeared him to many with whom he shared his love of the faith he proclaimed so well”.