Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton lauds new Archbishop appointment.
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth Donald Sproxton said he welcomed today’s announcement that Bishop Timothy Costelloe SDB would be the next Archbishop of Perth.
The archbishop-designate had the right mix of personal qualities and skills to endear him to Perth’s priests, Bishop Donald said.
“He’s going to be a great theological leader and teacher and he’s a good pastoral man. He’s got great empathetic skills – great compassion,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“I think he’s going to be a tremendous asset to us and, of course, a great loss to Melbourne.”
Bishop Sproxton said Archbishop-designate Costelloe had the respect of his fellow bishops throughout the Australian bishops’ conference.
Bishop Costelloe’s time as a parish priest and lecturer in Perth, from 1996 to 1999, holds him in good stead for the appointment.
“Having lived here for a while he’s got a lot of friendships already among the priests so I think he’ll easily move into the diocese and be accepted by them,” Bishop Sproxton said.