Brisbane Archbishop "Surprised" By Appointment of Progressive Auxiliary Bishop

Pope Francis Has Made A New Episcopal Appointment In Australia, Surprising Some...

Laudetur Iesus Christus.

ROME - Pope Francis has appointed priest Reverend Father Tim Norton as Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane. Bishop-Elect Norton will join Bishop Ken Howell as Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, led by Archbishop Mark Coleridge.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge. Photo: CNS

Some tip Father Norton as a very progressive candidate for the role, while others have welcomed his appointment.

In almost 40 years of ministry, Bishop-Elect Norton has also held key roles in Divine Word Missionary seminaries and has spent most of the past eight years in Rome running renewal programs for priests and brothers.

Archbishop Coleridge said in a statement that Father Norton's appointment was "surprising" and that "He will make a real contribution nationally and internationally.", later tweeting that "Bishops aren't what they used to be."

Auxiliary Bishops are generally appointed at the request of the Diocesan Bishop, with the candidate generally being put forward by the Bishop or Archbishop.

The date for Bishop-Elect Norton's ordination to the episcopate is not yet known, but it will be in 2022.