Pope Francis has last week appointed Diocese of Broken Bay Bishop Anthony Randazzo to the role of Apostolic Administrator of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Australia.
The Ordinariate OLSC was created by Pope Benedict in 2012 to provide a pathway for Anglicans to full communion in the Roman Catholic Church while retaining elements of their worship traditions and spiritual heritage in their union with the Catholic Church.
Although Bishop Anthony has been called to serve under the direct authority of the Pope, in communion with the bishops of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, he will continue as Bishop of Broken Bay.
“The Ordinariate, which is equivalent to a diocese, is built up of communities and individuals of the Anglican heritage gathered around the Ordinary,” Bishop Anthony said following the Vatican announcement on Friday night (AEST).
“I accept this appointment with great anticipation however I realise I have much to learn, especially regarding the rich, beautiful, and distinctive theological, spiritual, and liturgical patrimony of the Ordinariate.”
There are three Personal Ordinariates in the world: Our Lady of Walsingham in the United Kingdom; the Chair of St Peter in the United States and Canada; and, Our Lady of the Southern Cross here in Australia.
The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross comprises communities in Oceania and Japan.
“It is my hope that this new phase in the life of the Ordinariate community will allow us to build upon the good work of the past, as together we strive to be evangelising communities of grace, faith, and hope, united in Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Anthony said.
“I am indebted to Monsignor Carl Reid of Perth for his pastoral care of the Ordinariate since his appointment as Ordinary in March 2019. I am also thankful to the Ordinary Emeritus, Monsignor Harry Entwistle, for his leadership.
“While this ministry, along with that of President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conference of Oceania, announced in February of this year, are added responsibilities for me, I continue to serve the Faithful of the Diocese of Broken Bay with ongoing commitment, dedicated to building on our shared vision and priorities,” Bishop Anthony said.
Bishop Anthony Randazzo will take up his role of Apostolic Administrator of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Australia in July 2023.