The Diocese of Parramatta has lovingly farewelled its second-ever shepherd.
Hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning DD, the second Bishop of Parramatta, during his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
The coffin of Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning DD, second Bishop of Parramatta is seen during his Mass of Christian Burial at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Concelebrating the Mass alongside Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, were Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP of Sydney, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Archbishop Patrick O’Regan of Adelaide, Bishop Michael McKenna of Bathurst, Monsignor Edward Wikles, Diocesan Administrator of Armidale, Bishop Michael Kennedy of Maitland-Newcastle, Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay, Bishop Brian Mascord of Wollongong, Bishop Greg Bennet of Sale, Bishop Terry Brady, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Sydney, Bishop David Walker, Bishop Emeritus of Broken Bay. Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, Bishop Emeritus of Lismore and Bishop Gerard Holohan, Bishop Emeritus of Bunbury.
Members of the clergy from across Sydney and around Australia celebrated Bishop Kevin’s life alongside other dignitaries including Hugh McDermott MP, NSW Member for Prospect and Pierre Esber, Lord Mayor of City of Parramatta Council.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, extended his warmest welcome to all visiting clergy and members of Bishop Manning’s extended family.
He also extended his thanks on behalf of the Diocese to Sr Mary Comer RSJ, who was a dear friend to Bishop Manning and cared for him in his later years.
“All who have come here today want to express our condolences to the Manning family and his close friends, but also to give thanks to God for the many blessings that Bishop Kevin brought through his leadership and ministry over many decades here in Parramatta, Wilcannia-Forbes, Armidale and Bathurst,” Bishop Vincent said.
“One of his greatest legacies is the fact that we stand here today in this St Patrick’s Cathedral, which was a project that he oversaw and delighted in its planning and construction after the disastrous fire in 1996.
A view of the Liturgy of the Eucharist during the Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning DD, second Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“Bishop Kevin was one of the first Christian leaders in this country to reach out to members of the Muslim community and we thank representatives of that community for honouring him here today.
“Bishop Kevin was a strong supporter of the ecumenical movement – he was once president of the NSW Ecumenical Council. In addition, he was a strong advocate for the underprivileged and marginalised.
“We have so much to be thankful for, to God, as we commend Bishop Kevin to his eternal rest in Christ.”
On behalf of Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Monsignor Alfred DSouza read out a message from Pope Francis on the passing of Bishop Manning.
“His Holiness, Pope Francis, was saddened to be informed by the death of Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning and he send condolences to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Parramatta.
Monsignor Alfred DSouza from the Apostolic Nunciature of Australia reads a message from Pope Francis during the Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning DD, second Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“In commending the late Bishop’s soul to the merciful love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, His Holiness joins you in giving thanks for the generous service in with which he carried out his many years of episcopal ministry, especially by reaching out to those in need, advocating for a just society and promoting ecumenical dialogue.
“To those present at the Mass of Christian Burial and to all who mourn his passing in the sure hope of the Resurrection, The Holy Father cordially imparts his blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.”
During his homily, Bishop Robert (Bob) McGuckin, Bishop Emeritus of Toowoomba and former Vicar-General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Parramatta, said that descriptions of a bishop from Scriptural tradition of the Church were reflected in Bishop Kevin himself.
“Kevin Michael Manning, first as a lay man, strode to respond to the call of discipleship.
“Later, as a priest, he indeed continued that and his service became that of celebrating the sacrifice of our redemption, to lead God’s holy people in love to strengthen them through the sacraments. He was called also to nourish them by the Word so that by preaching and through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the words of the Gospel would indeed find fruit in human hearts.
Bishop Robert (Bob) McGuckin, Bishop Emeritus of Toowoomba and former Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Parramatta, delivers the homily during the Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning DD, second Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“As a bishop, Kevin was called to manifest through his life and ministry the fatherhood of God, to reveal the goodness, loving care, the mercy, gentleness, the authority of Christ who came to give His life and to gather people into one family, reconciling them in the love of the Father.
“The bishop, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, is also called to be a man of faith, of discernment, hope, commitment, gentleness, compassion and especially communion.”
Recalling an interaction he had with a Year 1 student in the far-west of the Diocese of Toowoomba, Bishop Bob said that Bishop Kevin reflected, in some way, Christ in the flesh.
“When you see someone in need, and you reach out to them, you may see Jesus in them, but more importantly, they may see Jesus in you,” Bishop Bob told the student.
“I’m sure that Kevin Manning, in his living out that commandment to love and reach out to others, that others would have seen Jesus in Him.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney, sprinkles the coffin with holy water during the Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning DD, second Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“Kevin Manning, throughout his life, endeavoured to be a true disciple, doing the will of the One who sent him.
“We give thanks to God for Kevin Michael Manning and pray that he now shares eternal light, peace and joy.”
On Thursday night, the Diocese held a Vespers for the Dead for Bishop Manning, with his body lying in repose overnight in the Cathedral he helped build.
Bishop Manning will be laid to rest alongside his parents in his hometown of Coolah, NSW, on Monday following a memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Coolah.
A portrait of Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning, second Bishop of Parramatta, is seen during his Mass of Christian Burial at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Bishop Manning was born on 2 November 1933 to Kevin and Edith Manning as the second eldest of five boys and two girls.
Ordained to the priesthood in December 1961, he served as a priest of the Diocese of Bathurst from 1962 to 1978. In 1978, he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Canberra for five years, and then as Secretary from 1983 to 1991.
In 1991, Bishop Manning was appointed the eighth Bishop of Armidale, NSW, where he served until his appointment as Bishop of Parramatta on 10 July 1997.
Bishop Manning served as Bishop for over 12 years until his retirement on 4 March 2010. He was then appointed as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes in 2010 until 2012.
Retiring to Bathurst, NSW, he died peacefully on Monday 15 July at the age of 90.
We continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop Manning and we give thanks to God for his earthly life.
View images from Bishop Manning’s funeral Mass here or below:
