O'Regan was born in Bathurst, New South Wales, one of four children and grew up in the village of Perthville, located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Bathurst. Educated at St Joseph's Primary School, Perthville and St Stanislaus' College, Bathurst, O'Regan commenced study for the priesthood at St Columba College, Springwood and later at St Patrick's College.[4] During his semester breaks it was reported that he pulled beers at the Majellan Club, carted feed and cut cauliflowers in the local market gardens.[5]
Ordained as a priest at St Michael and St John's Cathedral in Bathurst on 2 September 1983, O'Regan served as an assistant parish priest in parishes in Lithgow, Cowra, Orange and in Bathurst. During 1994 and 1995 O'Regan commenced higher studies at the Institut Catholique, Paris. He returned to Australia, initially to Orange, before being appointed as a parish priest in Wellington. O'Regan completed his higher studies in France during 2001 and 2002 graduating with a Licentiate in Liturgy and Sacramental Theology;[6] returning to Australia in 2003 as parish priest of Blayney. In 2008 he was appointed as Diocesan Administrator in the Diocese of Bathurst;[7] promoted to Diocesan Chancellor to 2009; to the Dean of the Cathedral in 2010; and concurrently as the Vicar General in 2012.[4]
Bishop of Sale
In December 2014 it was announced that Pope Francis had appointed O'Regan as the Bishop of Sale, replacing Christopher Prowse, who became the Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn.[4][6][8][9] O'Regan was consecrated and installed as Bishop on 26 February 2015, by Archbishop Denis Hart.[1][2]
.svg)
