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ABC News
12-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Anthony Ireland installed as Archbishop of Hobart, with shift in style likely after Julian Porteous
Tasmania's new Catholic archbishop has been installed, starting a new chapter for the church in the island state. "I come not with a blueprint but open ears and a listening heart," Archbishop Anthony Ireland told the more than 500 Catholics and public figures at St Mary's Cathedral in Hobart for his installation mass on Tuesday. Archbishop Ireland, who prefers Tony over Anthony, is among the first appointments made by Pope Leo. "A bishop is called to be a principal of unity, so my task is quite clear within the mandate of the church, that a bishop is to be a centre of unity, is to gather the people." Archbishop Ireland, 68, was ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne in 1987, and was appointed to the role of auxiliary bishop — a bishop who assists the archbishop — in the Archdiocese of Melbourne 2021. Family members, colleagues from around the country, and friends from the Melbourne parishes he's worked in were in Hobart for the mass. "You'd describe him as a person who's intensely interested in ordinary people," said Father Peter Williams, Vicar-General of the Parramatta Diocese in New South Wales. Melbourne colleague Jacqui Guiliano said Archbishop Ireland was personable and grounded. "He makes it easy to work alongside him … he's interested in whoever he's speaking with, he's interested in what they've got to say and he's a really interesting person," Ms Guiliano said. Archbishop Ireland replaces Archbishop Julian Porteous, who was installed in 2013, and had been regarded by some as a divisive figure. Archbishop Porteous has been a vocal critic of what he calls the "woke movement" and has often spoken about what he saw as threats to religious freedom. Concerned Catholics Tasmania, a group of Catholics committed to renewal and reform in the church, is hopeful Archbishop Ireland's leadership will be more inclusive and compassionate. "We really look forward to, like all around the world in churches, greater accountability, transparency, the opportunity for co-responsibility, more roles for women in the church in leadership, inclusion of all people — not discriminating against some people," chair Sue Chen said. Commentator and church historian Paul Collins said the role of archbishop was an "extremely important position". "In a sense, the archbishop sets the policy for the local diocese … he also has immediate jurisdiction over the priests of the diocese," Mr Collins said. Mr Collins, a former priest, said Tasmanian archbishop Guilford Young was one of the best examples of an Australian archbishop who had wide-reaching influence. "In many ways, he was not just really a leader within the Catholic Church, he was a leader within the whole civil community … I don't think any Australian bishops do that at the present moment." The role, however, comes with its challenges, particularly at a time of declining church attendance. Mr Collins said the church was "very much in the process of change as a result of Pope Francis's redefinition of a more humble, more down-to-earth, more human style of leadership". Archbishop Ireland seems to be positioning himself as that type of leader. "People over programs, accompaniment over instruction, presence over efficiency, joy over anxiety and joy, friends is magnetic. It is not by proselytising that the church grows, but by attraction," he said.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jubilant Peruvians celebrate new pope at mass in adoptive city
Thousands of Catholics gathered on Saturday for an outdoor mass in the Peruvian city of Chiclayo to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, who for years lived, ate and prayed among them. The first American head of the Catholic Church spent nine years in the commercial hub along the Pacific coast, where he is claimed as one of their own. Chiclayo "is a simple town that he loved deeply and that he continues to carry in his heart," Chiclayo Bishop Edinson Farfan told a packed congregation at St Mary's Cathedral. Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, first set foot in Peru four decades ago as a missionary. He returned to the city in 2014 and the following year was named bishop, becoming a naturalized Peruvian citizen in the process. He remained there until he was summoned to Rome by his predecessor, the late pope Francis, in 2023. In his first address from the Vatican on Thursday, Leo briefly greeted his "beloved diocese of Chiclayo" in Spanish and paid homage to his "faithful people." Seven thousand miles away, many in the city could hardly believe "el obispo" is the new pope. "There are no words to explain the emotion, the feeling that our pope has been here, close to us," said Rosa Maria Bernadese, a 57-year-old teaching assistant, who joined the celebration at St Mary's Cathedral. Amid a sea of yellow balloons, some faithful waved pictures from Leo's time as a bishop. One held a sign that read: "Papa Leo XIV, Chiclayo will always be your home". "Papa amigo, Chiclayo esta contigo (Pope, my friend, Chiclayo is with you)," they chanted as applause broke out. Bishop Farfan described Leo as "deeply sensitive to social justice" and praised his "big heart" and closeness to the poor, migrants, refugees and "those who suffer." "The city of friendship, the city of the Eucharist, accompanied the Holy Father Leo XIV in his pilgrimage so that he may now accompany and guide the universal Church from Chiclayo, from Latin America, the continent of hope for the whole world," he added. From the front row of the mass, Maria Elena Laboriano, 45, said: "We are very happy that the current pope is a Chiclayan." Others expressed joy that the pope has cast an international spotlight on Chiclayo, where they hope he will return. "For sure, we will extend an invitation for him to come and visit us," Farfan said. sf/cms/lb
