ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane has announced that Fr Tony Randazzo will become the rector of Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo from the beginning of 2009.

Archbishop Bathersby also announced that Fr Randazzo, a priest of Brisbane archdiocese who is working with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has been appointed a monsignor at the Vatican with the title of Chaplain to the Pope.

Fr Randazzo will return to the archdiocese at the end of 2008.

The Archbishop asked that the archdiocese continued to keep Fr Randazzo in their prayers as he prepares for his new and challenging role as seminary rector.

Fr Michael McCarthy will complete his eight-year term as rector at the end of 2008 before he returns to pastoral duties in the archdiocese of Brisbane.

On behalf of the bishops of Queensland, Archbishop Bathersby thanked Fr McCarthy for all he had done as rector and for the significant role he played in the planning and construction of the new Holy Spirit Seminary.

Fr McCarthy said Fr Randazzo’s appointment was “great news” and believed he would make an “excellent rector”.

Released by The Catholic Leader