| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1960 Christchurch  New Zealand |
Charles Drennan (born 23 August 1960) is the Catholic Coadjutor Bishop-elect of Palmerston North.[1]
| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1960 Christchurch New Zealand |
Charles Drennan (born 23 August 1960) is the Catholic Coadjutor Bishop-elect of Palmerston North.[1]
Drennan was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and grew up there. He attended Christ's College. As a young man, he spent a three-year period travelling overseas and while working in a home in India for children whose parents had Leperosy, he made the decision to become a Catholic priest. He undertook most of his training for the priesthood in Rome as well as post graduate studies there.[1]
Drinnan was ordained a priest in Rome for the Diocese of Christchurch on 14 June 1996. He returned to New Zealand and served as a priest in parishes in Christchurch and Timaru. He was then on the staff of Holy Cross Seminary and Good Shepherd College. Drennan spent seven years working in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State. His main role was writing speeches and talks for the Pope. At the request of Christchurch Bishop Barry Jones, Drennan returned to Christchurch in 2010. Just before leaving the Vatican, Drennan accompanied the Pope on a visit to the Czech Republic, during which they discussed the Church in New Zealand.[1] In Christchurch, Drennan held the title of Monsignor and the position of Diocesan Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.[2] He also held the position of Administrator of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Christchurch[3] and was Parish Priest of St Anne’s Parish, Woolston[1]
Drennan was appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of Palmerston North by Pope Benedict XVI on 22 February 2011 to assist current Bishop Peter Cullinane in the governance of the diocese until Bishop Cullinane retires after he turns 75 years of age at the end of November 2011. While his focus was, at the time of his appointment, on the people of Christchurch after the occurrence of the the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February 2011, it was expected that Drinnan would move to Palmerston North and be ordained Bishop in May 2011.[1]
Catholic Hierarchy website, Bishop Charles Drennan (retrieved 23 February 2011).