MELBOURNE (UCAN): Bishop Rene Ramirez, who hails from Gapan in Nueva Ecija, the Philippines, was ordained as the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne on February 1, becoming the first Filipino bishop in Australia. Vietnam-born Bishop Thinh Nguyen was also ordained as an auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese
Some 3,000 people and more than 200 priests from Australia, Rome, the Philippines, the United States, and Vietnam also joined ceremony, CBCP News reported.
Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Melbourne wanted Bishop Ramirez and Bishop Nguyen to embrace their new roles with confidence and faith despite the challenges they will face.
“The marks of death we each carry—of sin, doubt, despondency, tiredness, fearfulness—are, in Christ, transfigured marks of life — of grace, hope, trust, faith, confidence. In Christ, in his death-defying love, servitude gives way to friendship, and burden gives way to joy,” he said.
In his response speech, Bishop Ramirez admitted to feeling apprehensive about his new role, saying he was “fully aware of our limitations and shortcomings.”
He said, “However, the courage to accept this calling comes from our complete reliance on God’s love and our trust in his plan, which may still be unfolding for us.”
The marks of death we each carry—of sin, doubt, despondency, tiredness, fearfulness—are, in Christ, transfigured marks of life — of grace, hope, trust, faith, confidence. In Christ, in his death-defying love, servitude gives way to friendship, and burden gives way to joy
Archbishop Comensoli of Melbourne
The new bishop added, “We aim to embody compassion, understanding, and dedication as we serve our communities with humility and grace.”
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Ramirez and Bishop Nguyen as auxiliary bishops of Melbourne on 8 November 2024.
The Archdiocese of Melbourne, the largest in Oceania, now has four auxiliary bishops, including Bishop Martin Ashe and Bishop Tony Ireland, who will share leadership duties for the four regions of the ecclesiastical territories.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Bishop Ramirez was ordained a priest for the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus in 1985 and served in various roles for his congregation in the Philippines until he moved to Rome in 2003 to study.
On his return to the Philippines in 2006, he served as spiritual director at Rogationist Seminary College in Parañaque City and superior of St. Hannibal Rogate Centre in Parañaque. In 2015, he was assigned to work in Australia.
In October 2015, he became a parish priest in Australia and served the Catholic communities of West Footscray, Maidstone, and Braybrook in Melbourne archdiocese.
In November 2023, he was assigned to a parish in the Diocese of Sandhurst. In 2024, its bishop asked him to be the supervising priest in Rushworth, which includes four Mass centres.
