Kevin Manning, the second Bishop of Parramatta, a strong supporter of the YCW and YCS, died peacefully on 15 July 2024, in Bathurst NSW at the age of 90.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, the Bishop of Parramatta, Fr Fernando Montano VG and Sr Mary Comer, a loyal friend and devoted carer, were with Bishop Manning when he passed, Catholic Outlook reports.
“Bishop Kevin Manning was a loving servant of Christ. He dedicated his life to serving others and the church. He was a man of deep faith and prayer, and he leaves a strong legacy in Parramatta and the Australian Catholic Church, said Bishop Vincent.
“I give thanks for his life, for his vision and leadership for our local church and his legacy,” he said.
Born on 2 November 1933 in Coolah, NSW to Kevin and Edith Manning, he was the second eldest in a family of five boys and two girls.
He attended Sacred Heart Primary School in Coolah before going on to St Columba’s College, Springwood where he later began his studies for the priesthood. He was selected to complete his studies at the Propaganda Fide College in Rome, where he was ordained to the priesthood on 21 December 1961.
From 1962 to 1978, he served as a priest of the Diocese of Bathurst. In 1978, he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Canberra for five years, and then as Secretary from 1983 to 1991.
In 1991, Bishop Manning was appointed the eighth Bishop of Armidale, NSW, where he served until his appointment as Bishop of Parramatta.
Bishop Manning was appointed as the second Bishop of Parramatta on 10 July 1997, and was installed at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 21 August 1997. He served as Bishop for over 12 years until his retirement on 4 March 2010.
During this time, he led the youngest diocese during a period of rapid growth as more migrants and people chose to live in the western suburbs and Blue Mountains.
Bishop Manning was renowned for his outreach to the marginalised and the poor. He worked tirelessly campaigning and advocating for justice for workers, First Nations people, migrants and refugees, women and children and the growing youth population in the diocese.
He was the first bishop to reach out to the Muslim community in Western Sydney, building relationships based on mutual respect, and continued this interfaith and ecumenical work with other Christian communities and faiths.
Supporter of the Cardijn movements
“Bishop Kevin was an enthusiastic supporter of YCS,” former Parramatta YCS worker, Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis recalled in a Facebook tribute.
“He believed in its approach to forming young leaders in faith; he found energy in conversations with young people about the things they were interested in, he showed pastoral concern to YCS workers, both local and visiting.
“You got the impression that the Cardijn movements were deeply embedded in his DNA,” she added.
“He had a profound impact on my life and calling,” she continued, “and I’m so grateful to have called him a mentor and friend.
“As a young worker for YCS in his Diocese in my early twenties, he encouraged me, and stood up for me; he believed in me and helped me believe in what I had to offer the Church and world.
“At a time when I loved the Gospel but was uneasy about this institution thing, Bishop Kevin helped rehabilitate my image of Church. His faith was engaged with the world; he cared about workers and refugees; about interfaith dialogue and people on the margins. He was curious and kind, a good listener and a passionate champion of Catholic social teaching. Dear Lord, please keep making more like Kevin – it does the world and church good.
“I remember vividly my first meeting with him; my nervousness at meeting the Church leader funding my role, the talking points I had to hand about my work – and then my surprise when he simply offered me a cuppa and warmly asked me about my family.
“I believe he’s enjoying that kind of hospitality now, in God’s good company. Rest in peace.”
SOURCES
The Diocese of Parramatta mourns the death of Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning (Catholic Outlook)
Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis (Facebook)