FORMER Bathurst parish priest James Cutcliffe has resigned from his role in Dubbo amid suggestions he is leaving the priesthood.
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Fr James was transferred from Bathurst to St Brigid’s Catholic Church, Dubbo in 2010, shortly after he celebrated 25 years as a priest.
His resignation was confirmed on the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst website yesterday, with no explanation provided.
“Father James Cutcliffe has resigned as parish priest of St Brigid’s, Dubbo,” the website said.
“The Bishop has appointed Father Mark McGuigan as administrator of Dubbo and Father Patrick O’Regan as administrator of the Parish of Oberon.”
Fr James could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
Bishop Michael McKenna transferred Fr James to Dubbo just months after he was ordained as the eighth Bishop of Bathurst.
At the time, Fr James told the Western Advocate he had enjoyed his 13 years in Bathurst.
“I love the people of Bathurst. It is a wonderful place to live. It has been an absolute privilege to be parish priest here,” he said in 2010.
“People always find change hard. Pat O’Regan will be the new parish priest and Mark McGuigan will be the new assistant priest.
“All parish priests have accepted the changes. It is a new phase in the diocese.
“But I have had the greatest time and have called Bathurst home.
“I have had a great rapport with all the people of the town – not just Catholics but people from all walks of life and different religions. It has been an absolute privilege.”
Hundreds of parishioners packed the Cathedral of St Michael and St John when Fr James delivered his farewell mass in Bathurst on August 28, 2010.
The popular priest was then formally farewelled at a dinner of almost 1000 people at St Stanislaus’ College.
