Death of Bishop John Heaps

Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney (1981-1992)

By Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese

22 June 2004

John Heaps was born on 25 February 1927 in the Newcastle suburb of Hamilton. He was ordained priest on 8 March 1958 in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, by His Eminence Sir Norman Thomas Cardinal Gilroy. On 31 October 1981 he was consecrated Bishop becoming the Titular Bishop of Inis Cathaig.

Bishop Heaps ministered in the Parishes of St Oliver Plunkett Harris Park, Our Lady of the Rosary Waitara, St Patrick's Guildford, Holy Cross Woollahra, St  Kieran's Golden Grove, St Andrew's Malabar and St Therese's Dover Heights. He also served as a Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Episcopal Vicar for Immigration and Vicar for Clergy.

Due to ill health Bishop Heaps resigned from active ministry on 12 March 1992.

Requiem Mass for the repose of the Soul of Bishop Heaps will take place at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 29 June 2004 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

A Vigil Mass will be celebrated on Monday, 28 June 2004 at the Church of St Thomas More, Brighton-le-Sands at 7pm. Bishop Geoffrey Robinson will be Principal Celebrant.

May he rest in peace.

Homily of Bishop David Cremin at the Requiem Mass