The new Archbishop of Hobart, Most Reverend Anthony John Ireland, was installed on Tuesday 12 August at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart during a Mass attended by close to 600 people, including bishops, clergy and lay people from around the country.
During his address at the end of Mass, Archbishop Ireland spoke of his ancestor, John Carey Ireland, a convict from England who was transported to Tasmania in 1824 for “petty larceny”.
“Two hundred and one years after John’s arrival, I stand before you—thankfully not in shackles, but in hope—as a shepherd of the Church and an ambassador for Jesus Christ in this place,” Archbishop Ireland said.
The Mass was concelebrated by His Eminence, Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, and Archbishop Emeritus of Hobart, Julian Porteous.
Among the dignitaries present was the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker AC and Emeritus Professor, Don Chalmers AO.
At the beginning of the Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio read out the Papal Bull, declaring Pope Leo XIV’s appointment of Archbishop Ireland as Archbishop of Hobart.
Archbishop Ireland was then ceremonially led by Archbishop Costelloe, and the Apostolic Nuncio, to the Cathedra, the seat of the Diocesan Bishop. Bishop Martin Ashe presented Archbishop Guilford Young’s crozier to the new Archbishop.
“From convict chaplaincies to schools and parishes scattered across this island, Tasmania’s Catholic story has been one of quiet fidelity, courageous perseverance, and grace upon grace,” Archbishop Ireland said in his homily.
“So let us walk together—bishop, clergy, religious, and lay faithful. Let us be a Church of the Upper Room: Spirit-filled, alive with joy, and bearing peace.
“As we turn the page and write a new chapter in Tasmania’s Catholic story, may we walk as pilgrims of hope—and with our lives, sing the praise of God from whom all blessings flow.”
