Melbourne bishop is dark horse to be next archbishop of Perth

A Melbourne bishop has emerged as a dark horse among the candidates to be appointed the next Archbishop of Perth, reports the West Australian.

While the odds-on favourite is the Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Don Sproxton, Melbourne's Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Costelloe is being seen as a possible contender with many of the right credentials, the paper reports.

Though not a West Australian, Bishop Costelloe, 57, spent some time as parish priest at Victoria Park, taught theology at Notre Dame University at Fremantle and is well regarded by the current archbishop, Barry Hickey.

Bishop Sproxton, 58, is favoured by Perth clergy and has wide pastoral experience. 

A former chaplain to Royal Perth Hospital and Trinity and Mercedes colleges, he spent several years in parishes successfully building his pastoral skills and would be a popular choice.

Others considered in the news report include the Bishop of Bunbury, Gerard Holohan, 63, and Parramatta's Bishop Anthony Fisher, 51. 

It adds that Geraldton's Bishop Justin Bianchini, 70, and the Dean of Perth's newly refurbished St Mary's Cathedral, Mgr Michael Keating, 71, are both out of contention because of their age.

Source