The Old Paradians Association is very proud to hear the news of Pope Francis’s appointment of Old Paradian, the Very Rev Joe Caddy (1977), as the eighth Bishop of Cairns.

In accepting his appointment, Fr. Joe expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father:

“ I am deeply humbled by this appointment and and wish to express my deepest thanks to all the Clergy and faithful of Melbourne, with whom I have shared all of my priestly ministry. It has been an absolute privilege for me to minister with you. I also offer my personal thanks for the support and encouragement of Archbishop Peter Comensoli over these past five years as Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar for Social Services”.

Fr. Joe is one of four brothers who were schooled at the College. His brothers are Gerard (1977), Peter (1983), and Julian (1986). Their father, John Caddy, is also an Old Paradian, graduating from East Melbourne in 1950.

Fr. Joe was ordained to the priesthood for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in 1990.

Fr. Joe completed a Bachelor of Theology from the Melbourne College of Divinity and holds degrees in Social Sciences from the Gregorian University Rome where he focused his studies on Catholic social teaching, social ethics, and economics.

From 2002-2013 Fr. Joe served as a part-time Chaplain in the Catholic Prison Ministry team of the diocese, providing Sunday worship service and pastoral care to prisoners and families of inmates in Melbourne’s maximum-security prisons.

From 2004-2017 Fr. Joe served as Chief Executive Officer of CatholicCare (Greater Melbourne, Geelong, and Gippsland) where he was previously Director of Policy and Advocacy. During his time as CEO, Fr. Joe oversaw significant organisational changes including the successful integration of diocesan pastoral services including health care chaplaincy, prison ministry, and youth justice into the operations of CatholicCare.

In 2018, Fr. Joe was recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours list and awarded an Order of Australia Medal (AM) in the General Division for significant service to the community through a range of social welfare initiatives and policy reforms, and policy reforms, and to the Catholic Church in Australia.

He has served in several Melbourne parishes including Parish Priest to Fitzroy and St Kilda East. He is currently at St Carthage’s, Parkville.

The Old Paradians' Association and the Parade College community wish Father Joe every blessing and the best wishes as he continues his ministry.