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	Brisbane Archbishop to Retire 9 News November 14, 2011 http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8374171 Pope Benedict XVI has granted Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby his retirement wish. Archbishop Bathersby in July wrote to Pope Benedict XVI asking permission to retire after 50 years as a priest, and two decades as Brisbane's archbishop. The letter coincided with Archbishop Bathersby's 75th birthday. "I am pleased that Pope Benedict XVI has accepted my resignation," Archbishop Bathersby said in a statement. "After 25 years as bishop and 20 as archbishop I am not as active as I used to be. "It has been a privilege and a lasting joy to have been archbishop in Brisbane with so many excellent bishops, priests, deacons, religious, friends and lay people. "It was marvellous to have shared the lives of so many Christians and so many people who may not be Christians but do good and care for the poor." Archbishop Bathersby's retirement is effective immediately. He has been archbishop of Brisbane since December 1991 and was previously bishop of Cairns, from March 1986. Archbishop Bathersby's religious journey started when he was a seven-year-old altar boy in Stanthorpe. It is the same town, 250km southwest of Brisbane, that he is looking forward to returning to in his retirement. "In the coming weeks I will leave Brisbane for Stanthorpe, where I was born," Archbishop Bathersby said. "I have no doubt my friendships over many years in Brisbane and Stanthorpe will remain strong." Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, the Bishop of Lismore, will be the interim archbishop of Brisbane, the church says. The archdiocese remains vacant until the Pope appoints a new archbishop.
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