Bishop McKenna has announced he has appointed Mr Paul Clarke to succeed Mr Patrick Cooper as Financial Administrator for the Diocese of Bathurst.

Paul, who currently lives in Coleambally, will be relocating to Bathurst to take up his new position, which will commence on 7th October 2026. This will allow ample time for a smooth handover of responsibilities from Mr Cooper, who has been the Diocesan Financial Administrator since 2013 and is now making plans for his retirement.

The Financial Administrator is an important ecclesiastical office in each Catholic diocese, with responsibilities concerning the financial, legal and administrative affairs of the local church.

Bishop McKenna said: “I renew my thanks for Mr Coopers excellent service over these past 13 years. He has been a sound administrator of the temporal goods of our local church and a valued advisor to me. There will be an opportunity at a later date for us to acknowledge and honour his great contribution to our Diocese”.

5th May 2026