Bishop Peter Ingham, Dd, Retirement

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-101739

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Bishop Peter Ingham, Dd, Retirement

Mr CHRIS PATTERSON (Camden) (16:58:30):I speak about the retirement of theoutstanding former Bishop of the Diocese ofWollongong, the Most Reverend Peter Ingham, DD,Bishop Emeritus. After serving more than 16 yearsas Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Peter certainly will be missed. Bishop Peter was ordained asa priest in 1964 and ordained as Auxiliary Bishopin 1993 by Cardinal Clancy. Bishop Peter wrote inhis farewell message that he was overwhelmed bythe affirmation and good wishes he had receivedon the announcement of his retirement, but I amsure all those involved in the diocese havereceived more from Bishop Peter under hisguidance and advice. The Wollongong Diocese manages more than 130 parishes, schools and clergy inthe Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Macarthur andSouthern Highlands, which, when we think aboutit, would not be much different to running New South Wales. Bishop Peter studied for the priesthood at StColumba's Seminary, Springwood, and St Patrick'sSeminary, Manly.

Bishop Peter has served inparishes, including at Rosebery, Newtown, St Marys, Auburn and Ryde. He was appointed private secretary to His Eminence Cardinal James Freeman and GeneralSecretary of the Archdiocese of Sydney, and he wasnominated a Prelate of Honour to his Holiness Pope John Paul II. Bishop Peter has participatedin many Special Assemblies and Conferences ofthe Oceania. With more than 50 years as a priest andbishop, I am sure Bishop Peter will agree he hasmade lifetime friends and companions. I wasvery well informed that Bishop Peter has an amazingsense of humour and is very well known for hisjoke-telling—unfortunately, many of them dad jokes. That side of Bishop Peter showed he was a man of the people who was well loved and respected.His caring attitude and sincerity held him in goodstanding in the difficult situations he encountered over the years. The farewell dinner held to celebrate his retirement was supported by so many local businesses. It was wonderful. It was a privilege and an honour to be there to say farewell to the Bishop.

I thank those who assisted to makesure the evening was a great success: King ofClubs, Rydges Campbelltown, Catholic Development Fund, Catholic Church Insurances,Primavera Flowers, H. Parsons Funeral Directors,Australian Catholic Superannuation Retirement Fund, All Organs Australia, McDonald's Macarthur Illawarra, Hansen & Cole Funerals, Guardian Funerals,JDH Architects, Harvest Journeys, Makinson d'Apice Lawyers, Michelle Roffe Funerals, RemacFire Safety, St Francis Xavier Parish, Steve Watt Constructions, CEnet, Clearsafe Environmental Solutions, FAL Construction, Figtree Cleaning,KPMG Wollongong, Paul and Margaret Wakeling, Pro Sound and Lighting, St Mary Star of the SeaCollege, and Stuart Barnes Venues and Events. I also thank the students from Mount Carmel Catholic College Varroville for theiroutstanding music during the farewell dinner.

Through the years Bishop Peter has gainedrespect and love from all those he met. I sincerely wishhim well and all the best in his well-deserved retirement. Some 700-plus attended the farewell dinner, which was sold out

well in advance. Representatives from many businesses, schools, non-government organisations and communities were on hand on the evening, which shows the respect and reverence in which Bishop Ingham is held within our community and the good he has done within our community over the past 50 years. Bishop Peter, we thank you for your wonderful service, commend you on your wonderful service and wish you well in what lies ahead.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:03:35):

I also acknowledge the wonderful work over the past 16 years of former Bishop of the Diocese of Wollongong, the Most Reverend Peter Ingham. Bishop Ingham confirmed me many years ago at St Declan's, Penshurst. Bishop Ingham is a marvellous person who recently celebrated 50 years of priesthood in the Catholic church—I think he has now served 54 years—with 16 of those years as a bishop. I remember that over the years Bishop Ingham has visited parishes in my electorate and, in the early days following his ordination as bishop, I was an altar boy at St Anne's when he visited. I congratulate Bishop Ingham on his many years of service and wish him all the very best for the future.