Perth will tonight have its first bishop from Southeast Asia with the episcopal ordination of Applecross parish priest Fr Nelson Po. Source: Perth Archdiocese.
Bishop-elect Po’s ordination at St Mary’s Cathedral will be the archdiocese’s first episcopal ordination since February 2002.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will be the principal consecrator, with Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and new Sandhurst Bishop Rene Ramirez RCJ as co-consecrators.
More than 1100 people are expected to attend the occasion, including family members of Bishop-elect Po from the Philippines, as well as bishops, dignitaries, parishioners and friends from across the Perth Archdiocese and Australia.
A former industrial and management engineer, Bishop-elect Po is the third child of Norma Abordo and Lope Po’s six children.
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.
Reflecting on the phone call he received from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo advising him of the appointment, Bishop-elect Po said it 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,” he said.
Bishop-elect Po will serve as auxiliary bishop in Perth alongside Bishop Don Sproxton.
The Episcopal Ordination livestream will commence with an interview with Bishop-elect Po from 6.30 pm AWST. Wach the livestream on Perth Archdiocese’s YouTube channel.
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Perth Catholic community to gain its first Filipino Bishop tonight (Perth Archdiocese)
