This week marks a major milestone in the history of the Catholic Church in Cairns, with the retirement of our long-serving Bishop, James Foley.

Bishop James has been a dedicated servant of the Catholic community in Far North Queensland for 30 years and has always shown a great interest in our schools. His commitment to the young people of the diocese – and to both their education and spiritual formation – has always been clearly evident. He has been a welcome and thoughtful presence in our schools since his ordination as our Bishop in 1992. Much has happened and changed since then, but Bishop James has been a constant source of wisdom and encouragement to us. We will miss him.

After his final Mass on Sunday evening, Bishop James was congratulated and thanked for all he has done, and he ceremonially laid his crozier on the altar of St Monica’s Cathedral, signifying the end of his formal role as our shepherd.

Our Catholic Education community sincerely thanks Bishop James for his guidance and stewardship over three decades, and we pray that he has a happy and healthy retirement.

The Vicar for Education and Parish Priest of Innisfail, Fr Kerry Crowley, has been named by Pope Francis to be the Administrator of the Diocese until a new Bishop is selected.

For more on Bishop James Foley’s farewell, including a recording of the mass and farewell ceremony, go to: Bishop James Foley Farewelled at St Monica’s Cathedral.