Bishops Message

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton, Most Rev Brian Heenan says the Cathedral is an important icon for Rockhampton and the entire community will be requested to lend a helping hand to meet the costs of the repairs and renewal program.

“St Joseph’s Cathedral Rockhampton, is one of the finest cathedrals in Australia and possibly well beyond our shores. It has been for one hundred and ten years the centre of our Diocese and a place where faith has been celebrated and handed on to succeeding generations. Furthermore, it has been a monument to the pioneers and an ongoing attraction to tourists from all over Australia and the world.

“We can’t afford the overall cost but we’re going to launch a formal appeal and we’re looking to make that appeal something in the vicinity of five million dollars, which would cover, first of all, the very essential repairs, but we’d like also to go a bit further and give the cathedral a renewal because I see this as our time to hand the cathedral on in the best possible condition.

“This cathedral is something that this city can be proud of and we welcome people to come at any time to see it so we see this as a worthy reason to appeal to the whole community.

“We are certainly appealing to governments to help us with funding. We haven’t any response as yet but obviously the building is heritage listed and we have the approval of the heritage people to go ahead with our renewal.

“We all believe that this cathedral is a great gift to the city of Rockhampton - not only for the people who worship here but for all the people who enjoy the city of Rockhampton and we have lots and lots of people come in, tourists visiting the Cathedral it’s just wonderful Gothic architecture.

“The cathedral represents for the Catholic community, the centre of our diocese, it’s the mother church of the diocese and it’s the church where I as Bishop would often be, so both from the point of view of our own community, from the point of view of this wonderful City of Rockhampton, we feel it very necessary to preserve this cathedral in the most serious way that we can.

“We’re hoping to begin the repointing in October this year because it’s not always easy to get the tradespeople to do this work and we know there are some available at that time. We are going to launch our appeal at the beginning of July and go through a six month period where we will tell the story of the cathedral all over Central Queensland. I urge everyone to really consider giving, in whatever way they can manage. I am sure if we all become involved and support the fundraising appeal we can meet the project challenges as a community.

“The work will begin because we can’t delay any further for the integrity of the cathedral, but I’m hoping once the work begins, people will also appreciate how necessary it is.”

I ask you, our whole diocesan family, priests, religious and laity to get behind this appeal to restore and preserve St Joseph’s. Whatever you can give, large or small, will be remembered as your gift to safeguard this treasure.

God Bless You

+Brian Heenan
Bishop of Rockhampton