Archdiocese
of Sydney

The Sydney Bishops

James Patrick CARROLL
Auxiliary Bishop – 1954-1984
Born on 03 Dec 1908, Newtown, Sydney in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Newtown. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was Edward Carroll and his mother was Agnes O'Connell. He was educated at Christian Brothers' College, Lewisham, and attended Seminary at Springwood; Manly; Irish College, Rome. He was ordained on 30 May 1931, Rome by Archbishop Joseph Palica, V.G. and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 06 Jan 1954 as Titular Bishop of Athenia, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 24 Feb 1954 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal N.T. Gilroy (Consecrating Bishop) of the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was assisted by Bishop John F. Norton, the Bishop of Bathurst, and Bishop Patrick F. Lyons, the Titular Bishop of Cabasa; Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Titular Archbishop of Amasea, Auxiliary Archbishop of Sydney - 15 Oct 1965. He retired on 23 Jul 1984, to Holy Cross Presbytery, Woollahra. He died on 14 Jan 1995, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, and is buried in Catholic Cemetery, Botany. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest, Darlinghurst, Chatswood; Seminary Staff, Springwood & Manly; Parish Priest of Enmore, Woollahra.

Edward Bede CLANCY
Auxiliary Bishop – 1973-1978; Archbishop – 1983-2001
Born on 13 Dec 1923, Lithgow in Australia in the parish of Lithgow. (Bathurst Diocese) His father was John Bede Clancy and his mother was Ellen Lucy Edwards. He was educated at Holy Camp Public School (Grenfell); Good Samaritan School, Richmond; Marist Brothers' College, Parramatta, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained on 23 Jul 1949, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Normal Thomas Gilroy and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 25 Oct 1973 as Titular Bishop of Ard Carna, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 19 Jan 1974 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal James D'Arcy Freeman (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Cardinal James Robert Knox, the Archbishop of Melbourne, and Archbishop Thomas Vincent Cahill, the Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn 24 November 1978; Archbishop of Sydney 12 February 1983; Cardinal Priest, Titular Church of Sancta Maria in Vallicelle 28 June 1988. He retired on 23 Mar 2001, to Sydney, New South Wales.
During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest at Belmore, Elizabeth Bay, Liverpool; on the staff of St Columba's College Springwood (1958-61); St Patrick's College Manly (1966-73); Pontifical Biblical Institute Rome - LSS (1951-55), DSS (1961-66); Congregation for Bishops; Pontifical Commission for Pastoral for Health Workers; Council of Synod of Bishops, Pontifical Commission for Social Communication; Council of Cardinals for the study of economic problems of the Holy See. President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 1986-2000

David CREMIN
Auxiliary Bishop – 1974-2005
Born on 22 Feb 1930, Ballydoorty in Co. Limerick, Ireland in the parish of Castlemahon, Limerick. (Limerick Diocese) His father was David Cremin and his mother was Catherine Cussen. He was educated at Mungret College, Limerick, and attended Seminary at All Hallows, Dublin. He was ordained on 12 Jun 1955, All Hallows by Bishop John Scanlan, Auxiliary Bishop of Honolulu and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 25 Oct 1973 as Titular Bishop of Cunga Feichin, Auxiliary Bishop Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 19 Jan 1974 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal James D'Arcy Freeman (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Cardinal James Robert Knox, the Archbishop of Melbourne, and Archbishop Thomas Vincent Cahill, the Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn
During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest at Broadway, Bondi Junction, Bulli, Campbelltown, Camden, Concord, Elizabeth Bay. Administrator, St Mary's Cathedral. He retired in February 2005.

Charles Henry DAVIS OSB
Auxiliary Bishop – 1848-1854
Born on 18 May 1815, Usk in Monmouth, England. His father was Michael Davis and his mother was Jane Jones. He was educated at St Gregory's Downside, and attended Seminary at Benedictine Abbey Downside. He was ordained on 8 Nov 1840, Downside Abbey. Ordained and incardinated in the Order of St Benedict. He was elected as Bishop on 24 Sep 1847 as Coadjutor Bishop of Sydney; Titular Bishop of Maitland. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 25 Feb 1848 in Bath Wiltshire by Bishop William Bernard Ullathorne (Consecrating Bishop) the Titular Bishop of Hetalonia. He was assisted by Bishop William Placid Morris, the Titular Bishop of Troas, and Bishop William Wareing, the Titular Bishop of Areopolis. He died on 17 May 1854, in Sydney, and was buried in Subiaco Convent, Parramatta on 20 May 1854; re-interred in Crypt, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, August 1945.
During his lifetime, he was on the staff of Downside College Bath; had missionary experience in the district surrounding the College; and on the Senate, Sydney University 1852. He was Director, Lyndhurst College, Glebe.

Anthony FISHER OP
Auxiliary Bishop – 2003-present
Born on 1960, Sydney in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Lakemba. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was Colin Fisher and his mother was Gloria Maguregui. He was educated at St Michael’s Primary School, Lane Cove, Holy Cross College, Ryde, St Ignatius’ College, Riverview & Sydney University, and attended Seminary at Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill (Melbourne). He was ordained on 14 Sep 1991, Holy Name Parish, Wahroonga and incardinated in the Order of Preachers; Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 16 July 2003 as Titular Bishop of Buruni, Auxiliary Bishop Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 3 Sep 2003 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop George Pell (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Cardinal Edward Bede Clancy, the Archbishop Emeritus of Sydney, and Bishop Bernard Cyril O’Grady OP, the Bishop of Gizo (Solomon Islands). During his lifetime, he has been founding Director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Life in Melbourne.

James D'Arcy FREEMAN
Auxiliary Bishop – 1957-1969; Archbishop – 1971-1983
Born on 19 Nov 1907, Sydney in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Annandale. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was Robert Freeman and his mother was Margaret Smith. He was educated at Sisters of Charity, Elizabeth Bay, St Mary's Christian Brothers' School, Cathedral, Sydney, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained on 13 Jul 1930, St Patrick's College Manly by Archbishop Bartolomeo Cattaneo and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 09 Oct 1956 as Titular Bishop of Hermopolis Minor, Auxiliary Bishop Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 24 Jan 1957 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy (Consecrating Bishop), the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Bishop John Toohey, the Bishop of Maitland, and Bishop James Patrick Carroll, the Titular Bishop of Atenea, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Bishop of Armidale 18 October 1969; Archbishop of Sydney 9 July 1971. He was made Cardinal Priest of the Title of Our Lady of Ostia, 5 March 1973. He retired on 12 Feb 1983, to Vianney Villa, Randwick NSW. He died on 16 Mar 1991, Randwick Sydney, and is buried in Crypt, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest,. Grafton & Murwillumbah (Lismore Diocese); Strathfield, Mosman and St Mary's Cathedral; Private Secretary to the Cardinal Archbishop; Chaplain, Christian Brothers Strathfield; Administrator Haymarket; Parish Priest Stanmore.

Norman Thomas GILROY
Coadjutor Archbishop 1937-1940; Archbishop 1940-1971
Born on 22 Jan 1896, Glebe, Sydney in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of St Benedict's Broadway. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was William James Gilroy and his mother was Catherine Slattery. He was educated at St Benedict's School Broadway; Marist Brothers' College Kogarah, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood, Propaganda Fide Rome. He was ordained on 24 Dec 1923, St John Lateran Rome by Cardinal Van Rossom and incardinated in the Diocese of Lismore. He was elected as Bishop on 10 Dec 1934 as Bishop of Port Augusta. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 17 Mar 1935 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop Philip Bernadini (Consecrating Bishop), the Apostolic Delegate. He was assisted by Bishop John J Carroll, the Bishop of Lismore, and Bishop Terence B McGuire, the Bishop of Townsville. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Titular Archbishop of Cypsela, Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney, 1 July 1937; succeeded 8 March 1940; Created Cardinal 18 February 1946. He retired on 09 Jul 1971, to Vianney Villa Randwick. He died on 21 Oct 1977, Randwick, and is buried in Crypt, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. During his lifetime, he was Secretary, Apostolic Delegation 1924; Chancellor and Diocesan Secretary Lismore 1931.

John Edward HEAPS
Auxiliary Bishop 1981-1992
Born on 25 Feb 1927, Hamilton, in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Hamilton. (Maitland Diocese) His father was Edward Knowles Heaps and his mother was Mary M Walker. He was educated at Dulwich Hill High School, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained on 8 Mar 1958, in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Norman T Gilroy and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 4 Sep 1981 as Titular Bishop of Cathaig, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 31 Oct 1981 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal James D'A Freeman (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Archbishop Luigi Barbarito, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio, and Archbishop James P Carroll, the Titular Archbishop of Amasea; Auxiliary Archbishop of Sydney. He retired on 31 Mar 1992, to Ramsgate. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest of Harris Park, Waitara, Guilford, Woollahra. Administrator of Golden Grove; Parish Priest, Malabar, Dover Heights (Regional Bishop); Chaplain - Little Sisters of the Poor, Drummoyne; Director Catholic Immigration Office Sydney. He was awarded MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire - for work in the re-settlement of migrant people. He died on 21 June 2004.

Bede Vincent HEATHER
Auxiliary Bishop 1979-1986
Born on 7 Oct 1928, Strathfield in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Strathfield. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was William Heather and his mother was Alice. He was educated at St Patrick's College, Strathfield, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained on 15 Jul 1951, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Norman T Gilroy and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 30 Jun 1979 as Titular Bishop of Obbi, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 04 Aug 1979, in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal James D'A Freeman (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Archbishop Thomas Francis Little, the Archbishop of Melbourne, and Bishop Albert K Obiefuna, the Bishop of Awka (Nigeria). He was subsequently translated (moved) as Bishop of Parramatta 14 April 1986. Installed 18 May 1986. He retired on 10 Jul 1997, to the Central CoaSt During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest of Brighton-le-Sands, Willoughby; Staff and lecturer St Columba's College Springwood, Bigard Seminary Nigeria. He received degrees in LSS Pontifical Biblical Institute Rome; and Bachelor of Arts UNE (Armidale).

Joseph HIGGINS
Auxiliary Bishop 1889
Born on 3 Jan 1838, Moyvore, Westmeath in Co. Meath, Ireland in the parish of Moyvore. (Meath Diocese) His father was John Higgins and his mother was Mary Coffey. He was educated at Classical School, St Finian's, Navan Maynooth, and attended Seminary at Maynooth. He was ordained on 29 May 1863, Maynooth and incardinated in the Diocese of Meath. He was elected as Bishop on 18 Sep 1888 as Titular Bishop of Antefelle, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 31 Mar 1889 in Cathedral, Navan Ireland by Archbishop William Walsh (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Dublin. He was assisted by Bishop Thomas McNulty, the Bishop of Meath, and Bishop Bernard O'Reilly, the Bishop of Liverpool. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Bishop of Rockhampton 4 May 1899; Bishop of Ballarat 3 March 1905. Date & Place of Death: 16 Sep 1915, Ballarat. He was buried in the Vault of St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest at Tullamore; St Finian's Diocesan Seminary (18671884); Parish Priest - Castletown, Devlin; - St Benedict's, Broadway, Sydney

Peter William INGHAM
Auxiliary Bishop 1993-2001; Bishop of Wollongong 2001-present
Born on 19 Jan 1941, Crow's Nest in Australia in the parish of Narumburn. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was George William Ingham and his mother was Marjorie Pearl Hyndes. He was educated at St Leonard's Primary Naremburn; St Pius X College Chatswood, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained on 18 Jul 1964, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal N T Gilroy and incardinated in the Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 24 May 1993 as Titular Bishop of Pudenziana; Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney . He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 12 Jul 1993, in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Edward B Clancy (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Archbishop James P Carroll, the Titular Archbishop of Amasea; Retired Auxiliary Bishop, Sydney, and Bishop Patrick Dougherty, the Bishop of BathurSt He was subsequently translated (moved) as Bishop of Wollongong, 6 June 2001.
Installed 25 July 2001. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest, of Rosebery, Newtown, St Mary's, South Auburn. Private Secretary to Cardinal Freeman 1974; Archdiocesan Secretary 1980; Parish Priest Ryde 1990; Chaplain, Guild of St Stephen for Altar Servers; Member, National Liturgical Commission; Board, Catholic Church Insurances Ltd 1986.

Edward Francis Kelly MSC (Auxiliary Bishop 1969-1975)
Edward Francis Kelly was born in Wellington, NSW, on 22 March 1917, the son of Dennis Kelly and Elizabeth Agnes Colreavy. He was educated in OLSH Primary, Kensington and the Catholic Primary School in Golden Grove, then at Marist Brothers in Kogarah and Darlinghurst. He received his seminary formation at the MSC Novitiate, Douglas Park, and at the International Scholasticate and the Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained on 10 March 1942 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop Norman Gilroy, and incardinated into the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. He was elected Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney and Titular Bishop of Ficus, on 6 February 1969, being ordained on 25 March 1969 at St Mary's Cathedral, by Cardinal Norman Gilroy. He was appointed Bishop of Toowoomba on 19 December 1975, and enthroned on 11 February 1976 in St Patrick's Cathedral. He retired on 20 November 1992, and died on 2 September 1994 in Tugan. He is buried in Toowoomba General Cemetary. During his lifetime, he was on the Staff of MSC Community Douglas Park and Croydon; Apostolic Delegation North Sydney from 1948-1954; Superior of MSC Community Kensington 1954-1960; Superior Croydon 1960-1966, and on the Staff of St Paul's National Seminary, Kensington 1967-1968. He was also Parish Priest of Concord.

Michael KELLY
Archbishop 1911-1940
Born on 13 Feb 1850, Waterford in Co. Waterford, Ireland in the parish of Waterford. (Waterford and Lismore Diocese) His father was James Kelly and his mother was Mary Grant. He was educated at Christian Brothers Enniscorthy; Classical Academy New Ross, and attended Seminary at St Peter's College Wexford; Irish College Rome. He was ordained on 01 Nov 1872, Enniscorthy by Bishop Thomas Furlong. He was elected as Bishop on 20 Jul 1901 as Titular Bishop of Acrida; Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 15 Aug 1901, in St Joachim's Church Rome by Cardinal Francesco Satolli. He was assisted by Archbishop Diomede Panici, the Titular Archbishop of Laodicea, and Bishop Bernard J Doebbing, the Bishop of Nepi e Sutri. He subsequently succeeded as Archbishop of Sydney on 16 August 1911. He died on 8 Mar 1940, in Manly, New South Wales, and is buried in Crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. During his lifetime, he was stationed at the House of Missions, Wexford; the Rector, Irish College, Rome; and made a Count of the Holy Roman Empire (1926); Assistant at the Papal Throne.

Patrick Francis LYONS
Auxiliary Bishop 1950-1956
Born on 06 Jan 1903, North Melbourne in Victoria in the parish of St Mary, Star of the Sea, West Melbourne. (Melbourne Diocese) His father was Patrick Lyons and his mother was Catherine. He was educated at St Mary's School, West Melbourne, CBC North Melbourne, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; Propaganda Fide, Rome. He was ordained on 6 Jan 1927, Rome by Cardinal W. van Rossum and incardinated in Melbourne. He was elected as Bishop on 16 Mar 1944 as Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 2 Jul 1944 in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne by Archbishop Daniel Mannix (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Melbourne. He was assisted by Bishop Hugh O'Neill, the Titular Bishop of Bareta, Coadjutor Bishop of Dunedin, NZ, and Archbishop Matthew Beovich, the Archbishop of Adelaide. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Titular Bishop of Casaba and Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney 5 April 1950; Coadjutor Bishop of Sale 11 October 1956; Succeeded as Bishop of Sale 16 June 1957. He died on 13 Aug 1967, and is buried in St Mary's Cathedral, Sale (Ladye Chapel). During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest of Collingwood, Geelong, Brunswick, Cathedral. Administrator of St Patrick's Cathedral, and Vicar-General

Patrick Francis MORAN
Archbishop 1884-1911
Born on 16 Sep 1830, Leighlinbridge in Co Carlow, Ireland in the parish of Leighlinbridge. (Kildare) His father was Patrick Moran and his mother was Alicia Cullen. He was educated and attended Seminary at Irish College, Rome (at age 12). He was ordained on 19 Mar 1853, Rome by Archbishop Antonio Luigi-Bussi and incardinated in the Dublin. He was elected as Bishop on 22 Dec 1871 as Titular Bishop of Alba; Coadjutor Bishop of Ossory . He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 05 Mar 1872 in Pro-Cathedral Dublin by Cardinal Paul Cullen (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Dublin. He was assisted by Bishop James Walsh, the Bishop of Kildare, and Bishop Thomas Furlong, the Bishop of Ferns. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Succeeded to Ossory, 18 August 1872; aParish Priest of ointed Archbishop of Sydney 21 March 1884. Created Cardinal Priest 27 July 1885. Title: St Susanna. He died on 16 Aug 1911, Manly, and is buried in Crypt, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. During his lifetime, he was Staff, Irish College Rome, Vice-Rector 1856; Professor of Hebrew, Propaganda Fide College Rome; Private Secretary to Cardinal Cullen, Dublin 1866.

Thomas William MULDOON
Auxiliary Bishop 1960-1986
Born on 27 Sep 1917, Lismore in New South Wales in the parish of Cathedral Lismore. (Lismore Diocese) His father was Bernard Muldoon and his mother was Jane Bollard. He was educated at St Carthage's Primary Lismore; Marist Brothers School Lismore; St John's College Woodlawn, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood ;Propaganda Fide, Rome. He was ordained on 22 Dec 1941, Rome by Cardinal Fumasoni-Biondi and incardinated in the Lismore. He was elected as Bishop on 01 Mar 1960 as Titular Bishop of Fessei; Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 08 May 1960, in St Peter's Basilica Rome by Pope John XXIII (Consecrating Bishop) of the Diocese of Bishop of Rome. He was assisted by Bishop Napoleon La Brie, the Titular Bishop of Hilta, and Bishop Fulton Sheen, the Titular Bishop of Caesarian. He was subsequently translated (moved) as . He retired on 06 Sep 1982, to Mosman, The Entrance NSW. He died on 13 Jan 1986, North Sydney, and is buried in General Cemetery Lismore. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest of Grafton, Lismore; Staff St Patrick's College Manly (March 1945); Incardinated in Archdiocese of Sydney January 1951.

Patrick Laurence MURPHY
Auxiliary Bishop 1977-1986
Born on 28 Oct 1920, Eastwood in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Eastwood. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was Timothy Francis Murphy and his mother was Catherine Imelda Deloughery. He was educated at Convent Primary, Eastwood; C.B.C. Strathfield, and attended Seminary at St Columba's, Springwood; St Patrick's, Manly. He was ordained on 22 Jul 1944, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop N. Gilroy and incardinated in the Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 20 Dec 1976 as Titular Bishop of Acqua Numidia; Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 22 Jan 1977 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal James Freeman (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Archbishop Thomas Cahill, the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, and Archbishop James Carroll, the Titular Archbishop of Amasea. He was subsequently translated (moved) as First Bishop Broken Bay, 14 Apr 1986. Installed 28 May 1986. He retired on 9 Jul 1996. During his lifetime, he studied in Rome, and Maynooth; the Assistant Priest, Woollahra; on the Staff, St Patrick's College Manly; Rector, Graduate House. Parish Priest, Epping 1974

Eris Michael O’BRIEN
Auxiliary Bishop 1948-1953
Born on 20 Sep 1895, Condoblin in New South Wales in the parish of Condoblin. (Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese) His father was Terence O'Brien and his mother was Bertha Conroy. He was educated at St Joseph's School, Camperdown; St Aloysius College, Milson's Point, North Sydney, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; St Patricks Manly . He was ordained on 30 Nov 1918, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop Bartolomeo Cattaneo and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 05 Feb 1948 as Titular Bishop of Alinda; Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney . He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 06 Apr 1948, in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop Giovanni Panico (Consecrating Bishop) of the Diocese of Titular Archbishop of Justinianum, Apostolic Delegate. He was assisted by Bishop Thomas M Fox, the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes, and Bishop Patrick J Farrelly, the Titular Bishop of Neve, Coadjutor Bishop of Lismore. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Titular Archbishop of Cyrrhus and Assistant Archbishop of Sydney (11 January 1951); Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn (16 November 1953). He retired on 29 Nov 1966, to Wollstonecraft North Sydney. He died on 28 Feb 1974, at St John of God Hospital, Richmond, and is buried in the Crypt of St Christopher's Cathedral Manuka, Canberra. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest of Haymarket (Albion St), Rose Bay; on the Staff of St Columba's College, Springwood; the Administrator, Hurstville, Haymarket; he took study leave to Louvain University (PhD); he was Parish Priest of Bankstown, Neutral Bay. He was Apostolic Administrator of Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese from November 1966-March 1967. On retirement he was named Titular Archbishop of Apamea in Syria, 26 November 1966.

George PELL
Archbishop 2001-present
Born on 08 Jun 1941, Ballarat in Australia in the parish of Ballarat . (Ballarat Diocese) His father was George Arthur Pell and his mother was Margaret Lilian Burke. He was educated at Loreto Convent School, St Patrick's College Ballarat, and attended Seminary at Corpus Christi Werribee; Propaganda Fide Rome. He was ordained on 16 Dec 1966, St Peter's Basilica Rome by Cardinal Agagianian and incardinated in the Ballarat. He was elected as Bishop on 30 Mar 1987 as Titular Bishop of Scala, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 21 May 1987 in St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne by Archbishop T Francis Little (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Melbourne. He was assisted by Bishop Ronald A Mulkearns, the Bishop of Ballarat, and Bishop Joseph P O'Connell, the Titular Bishop of St Germans, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne. He was subsequently translated (moved) as AParish Priest of ointed Archbishop of Melbourne 16 July 1996. Installed 16 August 1996, by Archbishop Little. AParish Priest of ointed Archbishop of Sydney 26 March 2001. Installed at St Mary's Cathedral 10 May 2001, by Cardinal Clancy and Archbishop Canilini. Elevated to College of Cardinals on 21 October 2003.
During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest of Swan Hill, Ballarat East; Administrator Bungaree; Parish Priest Mentone. Study- Propaganda Fide (STL), Oxford University (PhD), Monash University (MEd)
Melbourne Installation took place in the Exhibition Buildings, as St Patrick's Cathedral, opened in 1897, was undergoing substantial renovation and maintenance.

John Bede POLDING
Archbishop 1842-1877
Born on 18 Nov 1794, Liverpool in England in the parish of Liverpool. (Liverpool Diocese) His father was James Polding (or Poulten) and his mother was Elizabeth Brewer. He was educated at Benedictine Convent Woolton, and Much (now Stanbrook, near Liverpool); Downside, and attended Seminary at Downside Abbey. He was ordained on 04 Mar 1819, Old Hall College by Bishop Poynter and incardinated in the Benedictines. He was elected as Bishop on 12 May 1834 as Titular Bishop of Hiero-Caesarea; see COMMENTS. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 29 Jun 1834 in Golden Square London by Bishop Bramston (Consecrating Bishop) of the Diocese of Titular Bishop of Usula; Vicar Apostolic of London. He was assisted by Bishop Thomas Griffiths, the Titular Bishop of Olena, and Bishop Etienne Rouchouze, the Titular Bishop of Nilopolis, V. Ap. of Eastern Oceania. He was subsequently translated (moved) as Bishop of Sydney 5 April 1842; Archbishop of Sydney 10 April 1842. He retired on 10 January 1874, to Sacred Heart Presbytery, Darlinghurst. He died on 16 Mar 1877, Sacred Heart Presbytery Darlinghurst, and is buried in Petersham Cemetery; exhumed 1946; re-interred in the Crypt St Mary's Cathedral. “His remains were transferred to St Mary’s Cathedral 17 Mar 1901” (and were near the altar of Irish saints until 1946). During his lifetime, he was Novice Master 1824; Secretary-General 0SB; Parish Priest Downside 1826. He was Titular Bishop of Hiero-Caesarea; Vicar Apostolic of New Holland and Van Diemen's Land.

Julian Charles Anthony James PORTEOUS
Auxiliary Bishop 2003-present
Born on 5 June 1949, Sydney in New South Wales, Australia in the parish of Rose Bay. (Sydney Archdiocese) His father was John Adam Gordon Porteous and his mother was Pamela Mavis Granger. He was educated at Melbourne, Singapore and St Patrick’s Convent School, Parramatta; De La Salle College, Oakhill (Castle Hill), and attended Seminary at St Columba’s Seminary, Springwood and St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained on 7 Sep 1974, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal James Freeman and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 16 July 2003 as Titular Bishop of Urusi, Auxiliary Bishop Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 3 Sep 2003 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop George Pell (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Cardinal Edward Bede Clancy, the Archbishop Emeritus of Sydney, and Bishop Bernard Cyril O’Grady OP, the Bishop of Gizo (Solomon Islands). During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest, Kingsgrove (2 Oct 74); Assistant Priest, Manly (1 Apr 82); Assistant Priest, The Entrance (6 Feb 85); Assistant Priest, Mona Vale (1 Aug 87); Formation ministry in Disciples of Jesus Community (1 Feb 88); Incardinated in Archdiocese of Sydney 6 Apr 90; Assistant Priest, Annandale – Forest Lodge – Pyrmont (17 Aug 94); Administrator, Annandale (13 Mar 96); Parish Priest, Dulwich Hill (1 Oct 99); Rector, Seminary of the Good Shepherd (2 Jan 02); Vocations Director (17 May 02); and appointed to Council of Priests (11 July 02).

Geoffrey James ROBINSON
Auxiliary Bishop 1984-2004
Born on 10 Aug 1937, Richmond in New South Wales in the parish of Richmond. (Sydney) His father wasAlexander Robinson and his mother was Kathleen Phillips. He was educated at Sisters of St Joseph Hunter's Hill; Marist Brothers Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, and attended Seminary at St Columba’s, Springwood; Propoganda Fide, Urban Uni Rome. He was ordained on 21 Dec 1960, Propaganda College Rome by Cardinal Gregory Peter Agagianian and incardinated in Sydney. He was elected as Bishop on 23 Jan 1984 as Titular Bishop of Rusuca, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 8 Mar 1984, in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney by Archbishop Edward Clancy (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Sydney. He was assisted by Cardinal James D'A Freeman, the Emeritus Archbishop of Sydney, and Archbishop Luigi Barbarito, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio. During his lifetime, he was Assistant Priest - Croydon, Lindfield, Northbridge; Staff of the Catholic Institute of Sydney - lecturer in Canon Law 1967-83; Archdiocesan Marriage Tribunal; Canon Law Society - Secretary 1969-76, President 1976-83. He retired on 15 July 2004.

Michael SHEEHAN
Coadjutor Archbishop 1922-1937
Born on 17 Dec 1870, Waterford in Co Waterford, Ireland in the parish of St John's Waterford. (Waterford & Lismore Diocese) His father was Cornelius Sheehan and his mother was Ann Lawler. He was educated at St John's College Waterford; Oxford; University of Grufswold; University of Bonn, and attended Seminary at Maynooth. He was ordained on 16 Jun 1895, Waterford. Ordained and incardinated in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore. He was elected as Bishop on 22 Feb 1922 as Titular Archbishop of Germia, Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 28 May 1922 in Maynooth Dublin by Archbishop Edward Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin. He was assisted by Bishop Michael Fogarty, the Bishop of Killaloe, and Bishop Bernard Hackett, the Bishop of Waterford & Lismore. He retired on 1 Jul 1937, to Ireland. He died on 1 Mar 1945, in Dublin, and is buried in Ring, Co Waterford. During his lifetime, he was on the Professorial staff of Maynooth Seminary; and Vice-President Maynooth 1919.
Archbishop Michael Sheehan - Born 17 Dec 1870, in the City of Waterford. At the age of 20 he entered Maynooth Seminary. His course at Maynooth was one of the most brilliant on record. In his first Philosophy year his record was: First in Mental Philosophy; First in Natural Philosophy; First in English; First in French and Solus in Italian. After ordination in 1895, he took a post-graduate course in classics at Oxford University. After a brilliant concurus he was appointed to the Chair of Ancient Classics at Maynooth. Later he studied a t the German Universities of Griefswald and Bonn, receiving at the latter the degrees of MA and PhD. He later received an honorary DD from Rome.
Dr Sheehan was for many years chief examiner in Latin under the Dublin Intermediate Board and later chief examiner in Greek. In 1919, he became Vice-President of Maynooth College. Dr Sheehan's Episcopal ordination took place on 22 Feb 1922, arriving in Sydney the same year. He returned to Ireland in June 1937, and died in Dublin on 1 March 1945.

Roger Bede VAUGHAN
Archbishop 1877-1883
Born on 09 Jan 1834, Courtfield in Herefordshire England in the parish of Courtfield. (Newport & Menevia Diocese) His father was John Francis Vaughan and his mother was Elizabeth Louise Rolls. He was educated at Private Boarding School, Monmouth; Tuition at home because of ill-health; Benedictine School of St Gregory Downside, and attended Seminary at Downside Abbey; Rome. He was ordained on 09 Apr 1859, St John Lateran Rome by Cardinal Patrizi VG and incardinated in the Order of St Benedict. He was elected as Bishop on 05 Feb 1873 as Titular Archbishop of Nazianzan; Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney. He was consecrated (ordained as Bishop) on 19 Mar 1873 in Liverpool England by Cardinal Henry E Manning (Consecrating Bishop) the Archbishop of Westminster. He was assisted by Bishop Robert Cornthwaite, the Bishop of Beverley, and Bishop James Chadwick, the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. He subsequently succeeded as Archbishop of Sydney on 16 March 1877. He died on 18 Aug 1883, Ince-Blundell, and is buried in Ince-Blundell; moved to St Michael's Church Belmont; finally interred in the Crypt of St Mary’s, Cathedral, Sydney See Comments. During his lifetime, he was Mission - attached to St Gregory's Downside; Staff - St Michael's House of Studies Belmont; Prior of the Diocesan Chapter, Newport and Menevia; Superior Belmont 1862-1873.

The Previous Archbishops of the Archdiocese of Sydney

• John Polding OSB, Vicar Apostolic of New Holland 1834-1842; Archbishop of Sydney 1842-1877.
• Roger Bede Vaughan OSB, 1877-1883.
• Patrick Francis Cardinal Moran, 1884-1911.
• Michael Kelly, 1911-1940.
• Norman Thomas Cardinal Gilroy, 1940-1971. Co-adjutor Bishop 1937-1940; Archbishop 1940-46; Cardinal 1946-1971.
• James Darcy Cardinal Freeman, 1971-1983. Auxiliary Bishop Sydney 1957-1969. Bishop Armidale 1969-1971.
• Edward Bede Cardinal Clancy AC, 1983-2001.

The Predecessor Auxiliary and Co-adjutor Archbishops
of the Archdiocese of Sydney

1. Charles Henry Davis OSB, 1848-1854. Also Titular Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle.
2. Joseph Higgins, 1889. (Appointed Bishop of Rockhampton 1889).
3. Michael Sheehan, Co-adjutor Archbishop 1922-1937.
4. Eris Norman Michael O'Brien, 1948-1953. (Appointed Bishop of Canberra-Goulburn 1953.)
5. Patrick Francis Lyons, 1950-1956. (Appointed Co-adjutor Bishop Sale 1956. Bishop 1957-1967.)
6. James Patrick Carroll, 1954-1965. Retired 1984. Died 1995.
7. James Darcy Cardinal Freeman, 1957-1969
8. Thomas William Muldoon, 1960-1986.
9. Edward Francis Kelly MSC, 1969-1975. (Appointed Bishop of Toowoomba 1975.)
10. Edward Bede Cardinal Clancy AC, 1973-1978. (Appointed Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn, 1978-1983.)
11. Patrick Laurence Murphy, 1977-1986. (Appointed Bishop of Broken Bay 1986. Retired)
12. Bede Vincent Heather, 1979-1986. (Appointed Bishop of Parramatta 1986. Retired)
13. John Edward Heaps, 1981-1992. Retired 1992. Died 2004.
14. Peter William Ingham, 1993-2001. (Appointed Bishop of Wollongong 2001.)
15. Geoffrey James Robinson, 1984-2004. Retired.
16. David Cremin, 1974-2005. Retired.

See also:

• Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
• Current Auxiliary Bishops of Sydney
  • Bishop Julian Porteous
  • Bishop Anthony Fisher OP
• Significant Early Pioneers in the Church in Sydney