Anticipation is building as the Perth Archdiocese prepares to welcome its newest Bishop with the first Episcopal Ordination in more than 20 years.
Tonight, Thursday 16 April, Perth’s St Mary’s Cathedral will be filled to capacity with more than 1100 people expected to celebrate the ordination of Applecross Parish Priest, Fr Nelson Po, as Auxiliary Bishop of Perth and Titular Bishop of Agunto.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will be the principal consecrator for the ordination with Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and new Sandhurst Bishop Rene Ramirez RCJ his co-consecrators.
Members of Fr Nelson’s family from the Philippines, as well as bishops, dignitaries, parishioners and friends from across the Archdiocese and Australia will be in attendance for the historical event – the ordination of the first Perth bishop from South-East Asia.
Following his ordination, Fr Nelson will serve as Auxiliary Bishop in Perth alongside Bishop Don Sproxton.
Archbishop Costelloe said Pope Leo’s appointment of Fr Nelson has been greeted with great joy and excitement across the Catholic community of the archdiocese.
“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,” he added.
Born in the Philippines, Fr Nelson holds 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 Masters degree in theology, with a major in pastoral ministry, at the Maryhill School of Theology, Manila.
Fr Nelson was ordained to the priesthood on 9 December 2005 by Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey. He has served as Chaplain at Royal Perth Hospital, assistant priest at Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and parish priest at Cloverdale and Applecross. He has also served as a Spiritual Director at St Charles Seminary, Guildford.
A keen proponent of synodality, Fr Nelson has been actively involved in the Archdiocese of Perth’s Plenary Council Reference Group (2019-2021); the Perth Diocesan Assembly Reference Group (2023–2024); and the Jubilee for Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies in Rome (October 2025).
The Episcopal Ordination will be livestreamed from 6.30pm to https://www.youtube.com/perthcatholic
