The Catholic Weekly 26 July 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 7 26, July, 2020 THE COSGROVE INTERVIEW In brief Bishop named to Council BATHURST BISHOP Mi- chael McKenna has been appointed by Pope Fran- cis to be a member of the Pontifical Council for In- ter-religious Dialogue. Bishop McKenna is currently the Chair of the Australian Catholic Bish- ops Conference’s Com- mission for Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue. Bishop McKenna said he is “honoured to be asked to serve the Apos- tolic See in this work that I know is close to the heart of Pope Francis.” The Council is a key of- fice of the Church for the promotion of inter-reli- gious dialogue. It is responsible for promoting mutual un- derstanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions. Serving the Sydney community since 1892 Our experienced Funeral Directors are committed to providing a personalised and meaningful service for your loved one. Prepaid funerals available. Newtown | Chatswood | Parramatta | Miranda 9519 5344 | wnbull.com.au and it was something the Government wanted me to raise. “Although the last time I met with him we did have a funny moment. All gifts for him need to be approved however I had an additional gift which I wasn’t sure how it would be received. “Australia were competing in the Soccer World Cup so I had a jersey with His Holiness printed on the back ready to give him. “He was presented with the traditional gifts and then I said ‘I’ve got one additional item Your Holiness’ and as he loves his soccer I asked if he would pray for Australia who had to beat Peru to go forward to the next round. “He immediately asked if I wanted him to put it straight on and I said no but you should wear it when you are watching the game and may- be say a few prayers for us. “I don’t know if he did but we got done like a dinner. “I subsequently found out the president of Peru visited him the previous year and had given him a Peru shirt. I had to laugh and felt like ask- ing him to return it. “Looking back it was a very happy meeting and one that will always stay in my mind.” The only other “saint” Sir Peter admits to meeting dur- ing his 72 years is his Anglican wife Lynne. The woman he met on a blind date has been by his side for almost 45 years. He says his illustrious career would not have been possible without her. And if he has any regrets looking back, it’s being an ab- sent father to his three sons. He said Lynne often played the role of both parents, look- ing after their children for many, many months at a time completely on her own. “She’s so close to being Catholic you wouldn’t know she’s Anglican,” he laughs. “She has almost achieved personal sainthood and gone rapidly through the process- es and I reckon she’s at the blessed stage, one off being canonised. “As CDF I was all defence personnel’s father, although I have to admit I’m not sure it made me a better father to my boys because it took so much of my time. They might have had a famous dad but I don’t think I was the best dad I could have been to them. “Looking forward my wife and I want to do some over- seas travel. I want to be a little less busy so I’m much more available to my kids, their partners and wives and my grandchildren.” Spending most of his work- ing life taking care of oth- ers, he describes himself in one word: “Australian” and laments he has enjoyed im- mensely his life of “service and sacrifice”. “It has been a terrific privi- lege, I have been very blessed in so many aspects of my life,” he says. “When I do finally meet God I’m sure his response will be ‘Gee this is a surprise’. “My favourite Saint would have to be my namesake, St Peter, because the gospels show him as a very ordinary man entrusted with the foun- dation of faith on earth. He was imperfect and denied Christ but in the end was the epitome of a saint. “In the end when they car- ry me out at my funeral I think I’d like it to be to the old Vera Lynn tune Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye and I can, hand on heart, say I did my best, mate.” Sir Peter Cosgrove’s new book You Shouldn’t Have Joined if You Couldn’t Take a Joke will be published in October by Allen & Unwin. Pope Francis accepts a jersey from Governor General Peter Cosgrove, accompanied by his wife Lynne, at right, during a private audience at the Vatican in 2018. PHOTO: CNS,ALESSANDRO DI MEO, REUTERS POOL They might have had a famous dad but I don’t think I was the best dad I could have been.” Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC PUBLISHED 16 AUGUST retreats 2020 EDITION Upcoming Catholic Weekly supplements for August PUBLISHED 9 AUGUST 2020 EDITION Catholic School LEADERS 2020 PUBLISHED 9 AUGUST Uni Open Days OPEN DAYs Universities and Colleges