It will be four years since September that Wagga Wagga diocese has been without a Catholic bishop.
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While not the longest stretch of time a diocese has waited for an appointment, Father Andrew Grace hopes we won't break that record.
One of seven delegates in a meeting on Wednesday with Archbishop Christopher Prowse, the diocese's apostolic administrator, Fr Grace outlined a program was being prepared for the new bishop.
It is expected the appointment would be made soon, but Archbishop Prowse laughing said he spoke those words two years ago.
Although frustrating, we are not sheep without a shepherd like some are saying - we are being very well taken care of by Archbishop Prowse.
- Father Andrew Grace
"Although frustrating, we are not sheep without a shepherd like some are saying - we are being very well taken care of by Archbishop Prowse," Fr Grace explained.
"He is going above and beyond, with the help of his two delegates Chancellor Kevin O'Reilly and Monsignor Doug George, and is making sure the diocese is kept well and ready to hand over."
There are two avenues of appointment currently being explored - with the first an existing auxiliary bishop from a city will be installed and relocated to the area.
The other, a priest will be ordained and installed.
Fr Grace says there was speculation two priests had been offered by the Nuncio, who is responsible for the appointments, yet had chosen to not take up the mantle.
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The longest wait he had heard of was that of the Forbes and Wilcannia Diocese, waiting five years for a Bishop, but he said their wait was "well worth it".
In the interim, parish priests given the authority to officiate ceremonies such as first holy communions and confirmations.
Griffith and he MIA are part of the Wagga Wagga Diocese.
Bishop Gerard Hanna held the diocese until his retirement in September 2016.