The Bishops of Australia have welcomed the appointment of Ms Melissa Hitchman as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Julie Bishop, appointed Ms Hitchman to the role following the conclusion of John McCarthy’s three-year term.
Ms Hitchman is the third person to be appointed Ambassador following the appointment of the Hon Tim Fischer AC, who served in the role from 2009 to 2012. He was succeeded by John McCarthy KCSG, from 2012 to 2016.
President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, said the Bishops of Australia congratulate Ms Hitchman on her appointment and look forward to working with the new Ambassador who brings a wealth of experience to the role.
“Ms Hitchman has been until now Deputy Chief of Protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a position she has held since 2013,” Archbishop Hart said. “We also acknowledge Ms Hitchman’s previous experience as First Secretary at the Australian High Commission in London,” he said.
Archbishop Hart went on to say that the Australian Bishops respect and are grateful for the dialogue that takes place between Australia and the Holy See.
“Since 2008, Australia has had a resident Ambassador to the Holy See.
“The appointment has enabled greater discussion between Australia and the Holy See on a range of current issues, from political and religious freedom to inter-faith dialogue, international security and peacekeeping, to the treatment of refugees.
“On behalf of the Bishops of Australia, I wish Ms Hitchman every success in her new role as Ambassador. I hope and pray that Australia’s diplomatic relations with the Holy See will continue to be developed through dialogue, support and action.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says Australia and the Holy See have worked closely for more than 40 years on complex international issues, such as peace-building, human rights, political and religious freedom and prevention of people smuggling and human trafficking.
Ms Hitchman is an experienced career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Deputy Chief of Protocol, a position she has held since 2013.
In Canberra, Ms Hitchman has served as Director, Regional and National Security Section; Director, Intelligence Review; and Director, International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament Secretariat. Ms Hitchman was also an Adviser, International Division, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.