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	Mystery As Bishop Quits Rural Diocese By Andrew Fraser The Australian June 10, 2009 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25613496-5006784,00.html MYSTERY surrounds the sudden departure of the Catholic bishop of a western NSW diocese who resigned unexpectedly just after Easter. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference yesterday confirmed that Bishop Chris Toohey of Wilcannia-Forbes had resigned after taking extended leave. While all manner of rumours have been circulating on the internet about the reasons for the sudden departure of Bishop Toohey, it is believed that he has had medical problems associated with servicing such a large area with diminishing resources. The diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes runs from central NSW to the South Australian border and has the Victorian and Queensland borders as its other boundaries, with only about a dozen priests to service the area. In a fax to priests in the diocese on April 23, Bishop Toohey said he had "accepted strong advice and have decided to take extended leave". "I am really sorry for the bad timing, given the nature of the Confirmation Round this year. Nevertheless, is it something I must do." Australian Catholic Bishops Conference secretary Brian Lucas would not give any reason for his departure, but said "it should be made clear he will continue to be a priest". He said Terry Brady, an auxiliary bishop in Sydney, would be appointed as temporary administrator of the Wilcannia-Forbes diocese. Bishop Toohey, 57, was appointed to the diocese in 2001 when he was only 49, and was regarded as having done a good job in the area. But the Catholic Church -- like most other mainstream churches -- is facing problems in rural areas, especially the difficulties associated with replacing ageing priests.
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