Following the announcement of the passing of Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning on Monday, the Australian Catholic Church have expressed their sympathies and memories of the second Bishop of Parramatta.
Bishop Manning, who was appointed the second Bishop of Parramatta on 10 July 1997 and installed on 21 August 1997, died peacefully on Monday 15 July in Bathurst, NSW, at the age of 90.
President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB expressed his appreciation for Bishop Manning’s “generous and faithful commitment to the work of the Bishops Conference over many years.”
“He has served the Lord and his Church with courage, creativity and fidelity for many years. We pray that he will now enter fully into the Lord’s joy and peace,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney and the third Bishop of Parramatta, praised Bishop Manning for his achievements as a faithful shepherd with a heart for “battlers”.
“I was lucky enough to inherit from him a diocese in very good shape: as its second bishop he had presided over a period of rapid growth, so that it was already bigger than most Australian archdioceses,” Archbishop Fisher told the Catholic Weekly.
“Behind all these achievements there was a no-nonsense country boy, a humble man of God, and a good shepherd with a strong sense of duty and a genuine interest in people.
“He served as a loyal priest of Jesus Christ for more than six decades, as a bishop of the Church for three dioceses, and as a Christian disciple and friend of all humanity for nine.”
In a message posted on Facebook, the Diocese of Armidale gave thanks for Bishop Manning’s earthly life. Bishop Manning was the eighth Bishop of Armidale from 1991 to 1997.
“We are mourning the loss of Bishop Kevin Michael Manning who met his eternal reward this morning aged 90,” the post reads.
“He was appointed Bishop of Armidale in 1991, making history by being the first to receive episcopal ordination and be installed in the one ceremony at St Mary and Joseph’s Cathedral on a snowy winters day.
“We thank the Lord for his 62 years of priesthood.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
Honouring his legacy, Jack de Groot, Executive Director, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), said that Bishop Manning’s commitment to equitable access to Catholic schooling and contribution to education in the Diocese leaves a proud legacy.
“Bishop Manning’s personal experiences deeply informed his advocacy for Catholic Social Teaching, particularly regarding workers’ rights,” said Jack. “His time in Armidale also fuelled his commitment to supporting First Australians, highlighting the injustices of poverty and discrimination.”
Sr Patty Andrew OSU, Diocesan Vicar for Consecrated Life and former Principal at Holy Family Primary, Luddenham, said Bishop Manning’s ability to connect through shared experience exemplified his dedication to community.
“During a special Holy Family Luddenham Parish anniversary celebration [in the mid-1990s], Bishop Kevin made a profound connection with the congregation, sharing a story of when he worked on the construction of the Warragamba Dam. His heartfelt reflections resonated deeply with the working-class community gathered that evening,” she said.
Former Executive Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, Dr Anne Benjamin, paid tribute to his legacy of supporting school communities.
“I remember Bishop Kevin as a pastor who made a priority for the wellbeing of children in our schools,” said Anne. “He supported the work of teachers and put trust in our staff. We shared a mutual respect and regard.”
Members of the faithful across the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond have also shared their prayers and sympathies for Bishop Manning.
“Such a lovely man who did so much for the community. May he rest in eternal peace,” one comment read.
“A true man of the people..his ordinariness made him special,” another comment read.
“A privilege to have known him and enjoyed the privilege of his friendship while working in the Diocese. RIP,” wrote one user.
“He was such a lovely man. He would always take the time to talk when you were in the lift at work or waiting to cross the lights. Eternal rest,” said another user.
The Diocese of Parramatta owes much to his leadership and vision, and we pray for the repose of his soul and give thanks to God for his earthly life.
The details for Bishop Kevin Manning’s funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, will be announced in the coming days.
