Catholic Bishop of Bathurst Michael McKenna yesterday blessed the final resting place of five past bishops: Joseph Patrick Byrne (June 18, 1843-January 12, 1901), John Mary Dunne (June 8, 1845-August 22, 1919), Michael O’Farrell (April 7, 1865-April 3, 1928), John Francis Norton (January 30, 1891-June 20, 1963) and Albert Reuben Edward Thomas (October 26, 1908-September 24, 1983).

One side of the memorial wall features the names of the five bishops interred there. 

“We have now finally given a resting place to the remains of these bishops,” Bishop McKenna said, sprinkling the earth with holy water.

Bishop McKenna said the other side of the wall will bear his name when his time comes, and the names of the four Bishops of Bathurst to follow. 

The occasion began with an All Souls Day Mass to commemorate the dead held in the historic mortuary chapel, which was overflowing with parishioners. 

The blessing of the deceased bishops took place under a stormy sky, then Bishop McKenna walked across the cemetery to pray at the grave of his predecessor Bishop Patrick Dougherty. 

He said it was very fitting that the bishops be buried just outside the mortuary chapel where they were previously interred.

Many years later their remains were removed and transported to the Cathedral of St Michael and St John, where their caskets sat on shelves awaiting interment in a crypt that was never built. 

Bishop Byrne had the worst of it. He was first interred in a family crypt, then moved to the mortuary chapel, and on to the cathedral.

Now, however, he is finally resting peacefully in the soft earth with the grass and wide sky above him.