The Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Old Aquinian Fr Michael Morrissey as the ninth Bishop of Geraldton this week.

Bishop-Elect Morrissey is the first Bishop of Geraldton who was born, raised, ordained and has ministered in the Diocese.

He said his appointment recognised “all those small communities scattered throughout the diocese, including Yalgoo, my home town where I grew up on a sheep station.”

Born in Yalgoo on 9th September 1952, Bishop-Elect Morrissey was educated at Aquinas College, graduating in 1969. He continued his studies at St Charles Seminary in Perth and at St Francis Xavier Seminary, Adelaide. He was ordained a priest in 1981 and worked as Assistant Priest in the Parishes of Bluff Point and Port Hedland. He served as Administrator in the Parishes of Bluff Point, Port Hedland and South Hedland between 1984 and 1985.

He was appointed Parish Priest of Karratha from 1985-1992. He headed to Geraldton following his appointment, taking on the role of Administrator of the Cathedral until 2007. He held this role again from 2014 to 2017. Bishop-Elect Morrissey was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese in 1994 for nine years and his mission was renewed in 2006 until the present day. In 2007, he was also nominated Vicar General of Geraldton.

He has been a long standing member of the College of Consultors, from 1991 to present, and the Presbyteral Council, 1983-1998, 2003-present, which he chaired between 1994 and 1996 and between 2004 and 2006. Since 1983, he has been Senior Chaplain of the Army Reserve Second Division.

In 2015, Bishop-Elect Morrissey was also appointed as Parish Priest Representative to the Board of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia.

Spending time in the garden, swimming in the pool, walking and playing golf are amongst his hobbies.

Bishop-Elect Morrissey will be ordained in June.