New Sandhurst bishop calls to youth

BISHOP Leslie Tomlinson is calling young people back to the Catholic church.Bishop Tomlinson was installed as the seventh Bishop of Sandhurst yesterday during a service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.The bishop used his homily to inspire young men to consider joining the priesthood.“To this end, I offer an urgent and sincere invitation to the youth of the diocese, to carefully reflect and consider as to whether God is calling you to play a special part in this endeavour as a religious or priest,” he said.“From my own experience, I assure the young men of the diocese, who God is calling to the priesthood, that you could choose no better than to accept this call, in contributing to the life of the church, in deepening your relationship with God, in finding fulfilment in life and attaining eternal life. Be not afraid.”Born and raised in Mildura, Bishop Tomlinson said his new role would be a homecoming of sorts, returning to the country after a long stint in metropolitan Melbourne.“In my own life, my response to God’s call has led me from my childhood and youth in Mildura to the seminary,” he said during his homily.“Then as a priest, apart from a short period of three years working in the archdiocese of Hobart in the mid to late 70s, I have lived out my priesthood in the archdiocese of Melbourne.“In recent years, it has been my privilege to serve in the roles of leadership as Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop in Melbourne. “And now, I come to be with you, as your Bishop of Sandhurst. “I know that my life, which has been a rich and fulfilling one, will continue to be graced by God in service of his people in this diocese. “Throughout my life and ministry I have felt empowered by the working of the Holy Spirit to the point of echoing St Paul’s conviction that: I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.”Bishop Tomlinson said he was committed to serving the people.“My role of chief pastor of the diocese is a particularly rich one and I commit myself to striving to fulfil it generally as your bishop and where possible to you individually,” he said.“This role of pastor has special significance in my relationship with the clergy of the diocese, to whom I am called to be their Father in Christ. “In the months ahead, I look forward to coming to know you priests and to developing true friendship with you. “You are the first collaborators with the bishop in the endeavours of the church.”