DIAMOND, Rev Monsignor Gerard James M.A. (Oxon), D.Theol., L.S.S., PE

Ordained at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne on 22 July 1967. Fr Diamond was appointed Assistant Priest at the parishes of Eltham (1967); Ferntree Gully (1968);

Glen Huntly (1969) and Oakleigh (1970). He undertook studies at Oxford University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1970-1974). He then returned to Melbourne as Assistant Priest at

Jordanville Parish (1974) before taking up appointment as Moderator at Corpus Christi College, Clayton. Fr Diamond was Master of Catholic Theological College (1977-1983). He completed his

Doctorate in Theology at the Melbourne College of Divinity. Appointed as Assistant Priest at Glen Huntly Parish (1988), he became Parish Priest in 1992 - a role he held for over 25 years.

Pope Benedict XVI nominated Fr Diamond as a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of ‘Monsignor’. In 2018, he was appointed Pastor Emeritus.

Mgr Diamond passed away at Cabrini Hospital on 10 January 2024 aged 81 years. He is remembered for his gentle, kind and unassuming service to the Church of Melbourne and for his intellectual gifts.

May he rest in peace. Priests’ Retirement Foundation. ‘Caring for those who cared’.