On the evening of Friday 20 June, the People of God in Melbourne received the news that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Anthony Ireland as the new Archbishop of Hobart.

Currently an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, the Archbishop-elect has also served in academic and spiritual formation as a lecturer and seminary rector, as well as having considerable ministry experience in parishes and the health-care sector.

He will be a fine shepherd, coming as a missionary to the people of Tasmania with a deep pastoral heart and a wealth of experience.

‘I am delighted and deeply encouraged by the announcement of Bishop Ireland as the new Archbishop of Hobart,’ Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said of the appointment.

‘He will be a fine shepherd, coming as a missionary to the people of Tasmania with a deep pastoral heart and a wealth of experience.’

Describing Bishop Ireland as ‘a great priest and bishop’, Archbishop Comensoli said he had been ‘a blessing to the Archdiocese of Melbourne and beyond’.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) also welcomed the appointment, with ACBC President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB observing that his ‘experience in the Archdiocese of Melbourne will stand him in good stead as he takes up the new challenge of pastoral leadership in the Archdiocese of Hobart.

‘His many gifts will be warmly welcomed by the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Hobart as their new bishop seeks to live out his episcopal motto, “Confirm, strengthen and support” (1 Peter 5).’

Bishop Ireland said he had received the news of his appointment ‘with a heart full of quiet joy’, saying he was ‘humbled and grateful for the trust placed in me to shepherd a diocese’.

It is with a spirit of service and devotion that I come to the Archdiocese of Hobart—to lead in faith, to serve with love, and to worship in spirit and in truth.

In his years as a parish priest, he had ‘found deep fulfilment in the pastoral relationships formed through shared faith and mission,’ he said. ‘I now look forward with great hope to walking that same path of grace with the people of Tasmania.

‘It is with a spirit of service and devotion that I come to the Archdiocese of Hobart—to lead in faith, to serve with love, and to worship in spirit and in truth, as our Lord calls us to do in the Gospel of St John.

‘I kindly ask for your prayers—for me, and for all those I will soon be blessed to serve and guide.’

Bishop Ireland, 68, grew up in Caulfield, in Melbourne’s inner south. Having been educated at St Aloysius Catholic Primary School in Caulfield and De La Salle College in Malvern, he went on to train for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College seminary, being ordained to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral in September 1987.

As a priest, he served in the parishes of Grovedale and Torquay, Mentone, Sandringham, Langwarrin, Frankston and Doncaster, as well as continuing his studies in moral and spiritual theology.

Travelling to Rome to further his theological formation, Bishop Ireland was awarded a Master of Arts in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Moral Theology) from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas.

Back in Melbourne, he joined the faculty of the Catholic Theological College in East Melbourne, where he lectured in moral theology, serving as head of the Department of Moral and Practical Theology for eight years. He also tutored at Corpus Christi College and served as its Dean of Studies and Rector.

In May 2021, in the midst of COVID 19 lockdowns, Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, and he was ordained bishop in July of that year, along with Bishop Martin Ashe.

Let us keep Bishop Ireland close in prayer as he takes up this new call.

As a bishop, he has served as Episcopal Vicar for the Southern Region (and for the Eastern Region until recently) and as Episcopal Vicar for Health, Aged and Disability Care, as well as offering his guidance and pastoral concern as a member of the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors, the Curia and the board of the Catholic Development Fund.

At the national level, Bishop Ireland chairs the Episcopal Panel for Doctrine and Morals of the ACBC and contributes to the work of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education and the National Catholic Education Commission.

Archbishop Comensoli encouraged the faithful to keep Bishop Ireland ‘close in prayer as he takes up this new call. We also hold Archbishop Porteous in our hearts, giving thanks for his faithful service and praying God’s continued blessings upon him in the time ahead.’

Archbishop Julian Porteous is retiring after almost 12 years as Archbishop of Hobart.