Pope Leo XIV last night appointed Perth priest Fr Nelson Po as an auxiliary bishop for the Perth Archdiocese. Source: ACBC Media Blog.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President and Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB welcomed the appointment of a second auxiliary bishop in Perth.
“The Holy Father’s appointment of Fr Nelson will be greeted with great joy and excitement by the whole Catholic community of the archdiocese,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“The laity, religious and clergy of the archdiocese have been gifted with a new and dynamic shepherd who will bring many gifts to the pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese of Perth.”
Fr Po was born on June 5, 1968, in the Philippines, as the third of Norma Abordo and Lope Po’s six children.
Following his secondary education, he completed a bachelor’s degree in industrial and management engineering.
Following several years working in his chosen profession, he entered the Blessed Sacrament Congregation, where he completed a master’s degree in theology, with a major in pastoral ministry, at the Maryhill School of Theology in Manila.
In 2003, at the invitation of Archbishop Hickey, he arrived in Perth to continue his studies for the priesthood at St Charles Seminary, Guildford, as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Perth.
Following his ordination to the priesthood in 2005, Fr Po served as an assistant priest in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder parish before his subsequent appointments as Chaplain to Royal Perth Hospital and as parish priest of the Cloverdale and Applecross parishes.
Fr Po said receiving the phone call from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo, advising him of the Holy Father’s appointment, was a “big surprise”
“It was overwhelming and surreal because I have never dreamed of becoming a bishop,” Fr Nelson said.
“I went straight to the chapel and became very emotional. I felt so inadequate and unworthy, but I know that God’s strength will carry me through.”
The episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Po will take place on a date to be determined following the Easter Triduum, after which he will serve as an auxiliary bishop in Perth alongside Bishop Don Sproxton.
FULL STORY
Second Auxiliary Bishop appointed for Perth (ACBC Media Blog)
