John Heaps
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John Heaps | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary bishop emeritus of Archdiocese of Sydney | |
| Archdiocese | Sydney |
| Installed | 31 October 1981 |
| Term ended | 12 March 1992 |
| Other post | Titular Bishop of Inis Cathaig (1981–2004) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 8 March 1958 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Norman Thomas Gilroy |
| Consecration | 31 October 1981 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by James Darcy Freeman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Edward Heaps 25 February 1927 |
| Died | 21 June 2004 (aged 77) Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Occupation | Catholic bishop |
John Edward Heaps (25 February 1927 – 21 June 2004) was an Australian bishop of the Catholic Church. He served for just over 10 years as auxiliary bishop of Sydney and became a controversial figure within the church following his retirement.
Heaps was born in Hamilton, New South Wales to an Anglican father and a Catholic mother. He had two brothers and a sister. His father died when he was 12 years old. He left school when he was fourteen and worked at Consolidated Press before joining the AIF when he was 18. He served for two years before joining seminary to become a priest.[1] His younger brother Alfred was also ordained as a priest in 1960 but died in a car accident less than five years after his ordination.[2]
Priesthood
Heaps studied at St Columba's College, Springwood and St Patrick's College, Manly. He was ordained a priest on 8 March 1958 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy.[3]
Following ordination, he worked in the parishes of Harris Park, Waitara, Guildford and Woollahra. He became director of the Catholic Immigration Office in 1972 and was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work in the resettlement of migrants.[4] His younger brother Alfred was also ordained as a priest in 1960 but died in a car accident less than five years after his ordination.[5]
