www.therecord.com.au
5 May 2016
Edition #80
NEW ARCHDIOCESAN ADMINISTRATION
COMMENCES OPERATION
By Jamie O’Brien
THE NEW Catholic Church Administration Office, which has officially been named Griver House, has commenced operation. Staff from the Catholic Church Office, Archdiocesan Finance Office, Catholic Development Fund and LifeLink have last month moved into the new building at 249 Adelaide Terrace, Perth. A rchbi shop Ti mot hy Costelloe explained that the new building has been named Griver House after former Perth Bishop, Martin Griver. “Bishop Griver was a very significant figure in the early history of the Church here in Perth,” Archbishop Costelloe said. “Not only was he instrumental in the decision to build a larger Cathedral to meet the needs of a growing Catholic community, he was also a man of prayer who brought healing and stability to the Catholic community after a period of turmoil. “His life provides an inspiring example for all of us and I hope that the entire Catholic community of the
Archdiocese will be encouraged by his dedication and passion for the Church,” he said. “It is fitting that, for the first time, a significant institution in our Archdiocese is dedicated to his memory.” Born in Granollers, near Barcelona, Spain in 1814, Martin Griver entered the seminary at 14 and subsequently enrolled in philosophy, followed by medicine and surgery. In 1845, he qualified as a doctor and surgeon. Ordained a priest in 1847, the young clergyman volunteered for missionary work in the colony of Western Australia two year later because there were limited prospects for curates in Spain. Following the dispute between founding bishop of the diocese, John Brady, and Benedictine, Jose Maria Benito Serra, then Father Griver remained loyal to fellow Spaniard Serra. As the dispute unfolded, Fr Griver lived in a temporary monastery established by Serra in Guildford. Bishop Brady eventually left Western Australia and Serra was appointed Apostolic Administrator. Fr Griver was
The new Catholic Church Administration Office, which has officially been named Griver House, has commenced operation PHOTO: JAMIE O’BRIEN
initially made chaplain of the Perth and Fremantle congregations. The young missionary also made periodic visits to the outer districts, travelling up to 1,016 miles on horseback. When on pastoral tour, Fr Griver often slept in the rough or in whatever circumstances the Catholic people were situated. The Church Office will now be known as the Office of the Archbishop, Griver House, Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, 249 Adelaide Terrace, Perth. The postal address will remain the same; Griver House, Catholic Archdiocese of Perth PO Box 3311, EAST PERTH WA 6892. The new phone number is 08 6104 3650 and the new fax 08 6162 0234. Opening
hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm. The Reception phone number for all other Archdiocesan departments in Griver House is 08 6104 3600 and the new fax number 08 6162 0345. The mailing address remains the same - GPO Box M962 PERTH WA 6843. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm. The Cathedral Parish Office will remain at 25 Victoria Avenue, Perth, WA 6000. Office hours will be 8.30am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
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