The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Australia, is getting new leadership, as Pope Francis has named Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay as Apostolic Administrator. This is the second new position Bishop Randazzo has taken on this year, after being named President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania in February.
The announcement, coming from the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, noted that Pope Francis named Bishop Randazzo to the position on April 21. The Ordinariate was created by Pope Benedict XVI, in 2012. Its purpose is to provide a pathway for Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church in full communion, while allowing them to retain Anglican worship traditions and spiritual heritage.
There are three Ordinariates in the world: Our Lady of Walsingham in the United Kingdom; the Chair of Saint Peter in the United States and Canada; and Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia.
In comments on the announcement, the bishop noted that the Ordinariate is the equivalent of a diocese. He reported with confidence that he would continue to serve the Diocese of Broken Bay while he takes on these new duties. Bishop Randazzo’s new role, under the direct authority of Pope Francis, will encompass not just Australia, but also the greater Oceania area as well as Japan.
The prelate said he was excited to learn more about the “rich, beautiful, and distinctive theological, spiritual, and liturgical patrimony of the Ordinariate." Randazzo was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Brisbane in 1991.
He noted that although he has many duties to juggle, he is confident he will thrive in his new positions:
“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 evangelizing communities of grace, faith, and hope, united in Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit.”
Bishop Anthony added, “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.”
