Bishop Luc Matthys, the out-going Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Armidale recently celebrated his golden jubilee – 50 years since he was ordained into the Priesthood in Johannesburg, South Africa. In addressing parishioners in a Mass at St Mary and Joseph’s Cathedral, Bishop Matthys talked about the milestone. He also had a special celebration with clergy, later in the week.
Bishop Matthys was ordained a Priest on December 2, 1961. On May 14, 1999, in the presence of a packed congregation of bishops, priests, religious and faithful, Cardinal Edward Clancy ordained and installed him as the 9th Catholic Bishop of Armidale. Bishop Matthys made the move from Melbourne under the directive of Pope John Paul II and was said to have been humbled by the elevation.
Bishop Matthys’ brothers Jef and Marc and their wives, Margaret and Kathy, and families, as well as five cousins from Belgium, were all there to see their “baby brother” ordained Bishop.
In the year that he became Bishop of Armidale, he visited every parish in the Diocese and was further inspired to continue and build upon the work of the Catholic Church in the New England North West region.
“Ever since, I have attended many parish functions and occasions; in particular to confer the sacrament of confirmation. Well over 5,000 young people have been presented to me for confirmation in 26 parishes of the diocese. Over 7,000 baptisms have also taken place,” he said.
Bishop Matthys said that he has seen many changes in his time in the Priesthood, one being the diminished use of Latin. “When I began, it was all in Latin.”
Among the highlights have been the occasions when, as a Bishop, he has been responsible for the ordination of new Priests.
“The ordination of new clergy means a great deal to the Church, local communities, the Priest in question and myself,” he said.
As a Bishop, Luc Matthys has felt privileged and blessed to have been given a private audience with the Holy Father.
In his mid-seventies, Bishop Matthys had tendered his resignation to the Holy Father and he can plan his retirement, since the Church appointed his successor earlier this month.
Story: Gary Fry
