Gerard Holohan Explained

Type:Bishop
Honorific-Prefix:The Most Reverend
Gerard Holohan
4th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunbury
Diocese:Bunbury
Appointed:11 June 2001
Term Start:5 September 2001
Term End:30 June 2023
Predecessor:Peter Quinn
Successor:TBA
Ordination:4 September 1971
Ordained By:Archbishop Launcelot Goody
Consecration:5 September 2001
Consecrated By:Bishop Peter Quinn
Birth Name:Gerard Joseph Holohan
Birth Date:5 September 1947
Birth Place:Perth, Australia[1]
Nationality:Australian
Religion:Roman Catholic
Alma Mater:St Charles Seminary, Guildford St Francis Xavier Seminary, Adelaide[2]
Motto:To love, to serve like Christ
Gerard Holohan
Dipstyle:The Most Reverend
Offstyle:My Lord
Relstyle:Bishop

Gerard Holohan (born 5 September 1947) is Roman Catholic priest who served as the bishop of the Diocese of Bunbury from 2001 to 2023.

Early life

Holohan was born and baptised on 5 September 1947. He was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School in Perth, and by the Christian Brothers, first at St Francis Xavier College, then at the Christian Brothers' College, St George's Terrace and later at Trinity College.[3]

He entered St Charles Seminary Guildford in 1965 for philosophical studies, and then moved to St Francis Xavier Seminary, Adelaide in 1968 to study theology.

Priesthood

Holohan was ordained to the priesthood on 4 September 1971 by Perth Archbishop Launcelot Goody. He was initially appointed to serve in the Cottesloe parish before serving in the parish of Subiaco until 1975.[4]

Archbishop Goody asked him to spend his ministry in Catholic education and between 1975 and 1981, he completed postgraduate degrees in Education and Arts at Murdoch University in Perth, and Fordham University in the United States. In 1980, he became chaplain and religious education coordinator at Newman College, Churchlands and in 1981, he was appointed Director of Religious Education. He also served as Governor of the University of Notre Dame Australia.[5]

He became an affiliated member of the Marist Brothers Order in 1990.

Episcopacy

Holohan was appointed as Bishop of Bunbury by Pope John Paul II on 11 June 2001, replacing Bishop Peter Quinn who retired in 2000. He was ordained a bishop and installed on 5 September 2001, becoming the fourth Bishop of Bunbury.[6] As required by canon law, Holohan tendered his resignation to the Vatican when he turned 75 in 2022. It was accepted on 30 June 2023.[7]

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bishop Gerard Joseph Holohan . 23 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Bishop Holohan . 16 March 2016. Bunbury Catholic Diocese. 23 August 2022.
  3. Web site: Bishop Holohan . 16 March 2016. Bunbury Catholic Diocese. 23 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Bishop Holohan . 16 March 2016. Bunbury Catholic Diocese. 23 August 2022.
  5. Web site: Bishop Holohan . 16 March 2016. Bunbury Catholic Diocese. 23 August 2022.
  6. Web site: Bishop Holohan . 16 March 2016. Bunbury Catholic Diocese. 23 August 2022.
  7. News: Fiore . Briana . 2023-07-03 . Pope accepts resignation of high-ranking WA Bishop . en-AU . ABC News . 2023-07-24.