This article was originally published by The Catholic Weekly

Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop Daniel Meagher, until now auxiliary bishop of Sydney, as the eleventh bishop of the Diocese of Rockhampton.

Bishop Meagher will succeed Bishop Michael McCarthy, 75, who has led the diocese for the past 12 years.

Bishop Meagher told the Catholic Weekly that the call from the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, came on his day off, just as he was finishing doing some gardening at his mother’s house.

“I went to my phone and noticed the Nuncio had called,” Bishop Meagher explained.

“He wanted a FaceTime call. I was in my t-shirt and shorts, but I thought: ‘Oh, well, I’ll ring you back nonetheless.’ He asked me on the spot, and I accepted on the spot. I think that’s part of the commitment of a priest. We accept when we’re asked to do what we’re capable of doing.”

The move to Rockhampton will be a big change for Bishop Meagher, who admitted he had once passed through the diocese on his way further north, but never visited.

“I was a Sydney seminarian. I was ordained a Sydney priest. I spent two years in Rome and 18 months at Broken Hill, but otherwise, I’ve been in Sydney. So, it’s going to be a jolt to move out of the Sydney archdiocesan presbyterate,” he explained. “That’s all part of the challenge.”

Bishop Meagher has indeed been all across the Archdiocese of Sydney.

In his 30 years of priestly life, Bishop Meagher ministered in the Sydney parishes of Mount Pritchard, Mosman, Gymea, Hoxton Park, Carnes Hill, North Leichhardt, Penshurst-Peakhurst, Strathfield and Five Dock. He was Administrator of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Broken Hill from 2012-2014 and was rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd from 2015-2020 before being appointed as auxiliary bishop of Sydney by Pope Francis on 18 November 2021.

After more than a decade out of parish ministry, serving as rector and auxiliary bishop, Bishop Meagher said that he was looking forward to the challenge of being a parish priest again, “only not really a parish, but a diocese.”

He is also keenly aware of the responsibility he will have to care for the priests in his diocese.

“Supporting the priests will be important because I spent 18 months at Broken Hill, and I know that in those remote areas it can be very isolated, so I’ve been looking forward to trying to support the priests as best I can.”

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP told The Catholic Weekly that, while Bishop Meagher’s appointment was a great gift to the people of Rockhampton, he would be sorely missed by the priests and faithful of the Archdiocese of Sydney, and especially by the archbishop himself.

“Bishop Danny has been such a wonderful collaborator with me, and I will miss him greatly,” Archbishop Fisher said.

“He began as seminary rector just as I began as archbishop, and so I have him to thank for forming many of our wonderful young priests who are serving us so well across Sydney today.

“He has also been a steady and reliable hand in the many, many tasks I have given him over the years, including as Episcopal Vicar for Health, serving on the boards of Catholic Schools NSW, Sydney Catholic Schools and Sydney Catholic Early Childhood and leading the Synod of Sydney, which I have made sure he will get to finish before he moves.

“Beyond these formal roles, however, Bishop Danny is a man of deep faith and trust in God, which will be most important as he takes up this new role. I know his deep spirituality, as well as his practical wisdom, will be a great gift to the priests and people of Rockhampton.”

Bishop Meagher was similarly clear about his close working relationship with Archbishop Fisher.

“He’s very kind. He never loses his temper, which is extraordinary,” Bishop Meagher said. “And he’s always plugging away. He sees the way ahead and he knows that he just won’t get there by saying: ‘let’s do this.’ You’ve got to keep plugging away,” he said.

“He’s a good thinker, strategic and persistent. It’s been good working with him.”

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB welcomed the appointment.

“On behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, I warmly congratulate Bishop Meagher on his appointment as Bishop of Rockhampton,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

“His wide-ranging experience in pastoral leadership, theological formation and service to the church will be a great blessing to the people of Central Queensland.

“The Holy Father has entrusted the Diocese of Rockhampton to a bishop whose life reflects a deep commitment to faith, learning and service. From his early engagement with those experiencing homelessness to his leadership in seminary formation, Bishop Meagher brings a pastor’s heart and a teacher’s wisdom to his episcopal ministry.”

It is expected that a good number of Bishop Meagher’s six brothers and sisters, 17 nieces and nephews and their families will travel to Rockhampton next month for the installation Mass, with one very important guest poised to join them. “Mum’s 90, so I hope she can make it up,” Bishop Meagher said.

Amidst the excitement of the change and the challenge, Bishop Meagher also admitted he has been quite nervous about the move. “I’ve just brought that to prayer,” he said. “The good Lord can deal with our nervousness. He takes us as we are and he uses us.”

Asked about his ultimate hope for the new role, Bishop Meagher responded: “I just want to bring people close to God in whatever way I can.”

Bishop Daniel Meagher will be installed as the 11th Bishop of Rockhampton at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton at 10.30am on 28 May 2026.