Bishop has a word with Bomber legend

The look on Bishop Justin Bianchini’s face turned to horror when football legend Kevin Sheedy picked up a paintbrush in St Francis Xavier Cathedral this week.

“No, don’t,” Bishop Bianchini said as the footy hero threatened to change the look of the cathedral, which is undergoing a major renovation.

“This place is lovely — but you’ve got the wrong colours,” Mr Sheedy said.

Changing the colours from orange and grey to the red and black of his beloved Essendon seemed imminent before the Bishop reached Mr Sheedy’s heart — by saying the motto of the Bombers.

“Sauvitor in modo fortiter in re,” the churchman said to coach.

To the lay person, it means: “Gentle in manner, resolute in deed.”

With that, the Bishop resolutely suggested the stripes should remain.

Mr Sheedy agreed and was taken for a tour of the cathedral and gave the Bishop some kicking and handball practice.

Mr Sheedy is in Geraldton this week with his wife Geraldine, the couple brought here by a body known as NAG — the Network Anonymous Group.

“It’s a group of local business people who meet fortnightly and think of ways to promote Geraldton,” Barbara Thompson, co-ordinator of Regional Development Australia for the Midwest- Gascoyne, said.

“Kevin is attending and speaking at football and sporting functions and training sessions and is also at breakfasts and visiting Geraldton businesses.”