Since Bishop Torres unexpected death, the search to find a suitable replacement to administer the Kimberley Vicariate had proved trying. The ongoing war meant that none of the Pallottines could be considered a viable option as they were all German and tensions were already high. Archbishop Clune, in an attempt to ease tensions in the region and find a suitable administrator, travelled to Sydney. He met with the Australian Government who’s only request was that the new administrator be a British subject. Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Cerretti authorised Archbishop Clune to appoint the successor and a decision was made that given the struggling conditions, the Kimberley Vicariate would benefit more from having it’s own Vicar Apostolic as opposed to an Administrator from a neighbouring diocese in charge. On the 9th of May, Father John Creagh C.Ss.R, a fellow Redemptorist who hailed from Ireland, was appointed as the first Pro-Apostolic Vicar of Kimberley in Western Australia. Fr Creagh was based in Broome and the kind priest came with a reputation of caring for the poor which saw him immediately regarded as a friend of Aboriginal people.