Most Rev Eugene Hurley named as new Bishop of Darwin

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The Bishop of Port Pirie, Most Rev Eugene Hurley, was today named by Pope Benedict XVI as the new Bishop of Darwin.

The announcement came as Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of the Bishop of Darwin, Most Rev Edmund (Ted) Collins MSC upon having reached the age of retirement. Bishop Collins celebrates 21 years as Bishop today.

Bishop Hurley, 67, was ordained a priest for the Port Pirie Diocese in 1964 and was ordained as Bishop of his home Diocese in February 1999.

His appointment marks an historic change in the Top End, as he will be the first Bishop of Darwin not to belong to a religious order, with the last three Bishops having been members of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC).

Bishop Hurley paid tribute to the dedicated service Bishop Collins had given to the people of Darwin and acknowledged the fine tradition of the MSCs in that diocese.

“It has been an enormous honour and privilege to have been Bishop of my own Diocese for the last eight years,” Bishop Hurley said. “I will always treasure that experience.

“But I feel equally privileged to be asked to be the Bishop of Darwin and I look forward to listening to and learning from the wisdom of those people who make up the Diocese.”

Bishop Collins welcomed the appointment of his successor and wished Bishop Hurley well.

“I have enjoyed my 21 years as Bishop of Darwin immensely,” Bishop Collins said.

“This is a large and diverse diocese with wonderful people, and I hope and pray that my successor, Bishop Hurley, enjoys it as much as I did.”

Bishop Hurley will be installed as Bishop of Darwin on August 29.