Rene Ramirez (bishop)
Rene Ramirez | |
|---|---|
| Bishop-elect of Sandhurst | |
| Church | Catholic |
| Province | Melbourne |
| Diocese | Sandhurst |
| Appointed | 11 April 2026 |
| Previous posts | |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 27 June 1998 |
| Consecration | 1 February 2025 by Peter Comensoli |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 March 1969 Gapan, Philippines |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Motto | Zelus et misericordia (Latin for 'Zeal and compassion') |
| Styles of Rene Ramirez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Lordship The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | My Lord |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Rene Ramirez (born 29 March 1969) is a Filipino bishop of the Catholic Church in Australia and a member of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus. In April 2026 he was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to be the ninth bishop of Sandhurst based in the regional city of Bendigo, Victoria. Since February 2025 he has been an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Early life
[edit]Ramirez was born in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He entered the Rogationists in 1985 at the age of 16. He professed solemn vows in 1995 and was ordained a priest on 27 June 1998.[1]
Priesthood
[edit]Following his ordination, Ramirez became the vocations director for his congregation in the Philippines. He then served as administrator, treasurer and vice-rector at Rogationist College in Cavite City. In 2003, he moved to Rome to complete licentiate studies in spirituality and earn a diploma in social communications from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He returned to the Philippines in 2006 and served in various roles within the Rogationists.[citation needed]
Ramirez moved to Australia in 2015 and served in the parishes of West Footscray, Maidstone and Braybrook within the Archdiocese of Melbourne. In 2023, he moved to the Diocese of Sandhurst to help his religious order establish a presence there.[2]
Episcopal ministry
[edit]On 8 November 2024, Pope Francis announced his appointment of Ramirez and Thinh Xuan Nguyen as auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.[3] They were consecrated bishops on 1 February 2025 at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. The principal consecrator was Archbishop Peter Comensoli with Bishop Gregory Bennet of Sale and Bishop Shane Mackinlay of Sandhurst as co-consecrators.[4] On 11 April 2026 it was announced that Ramirez had been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to be the ninth bishop of Sandhurst.[5] His installation is scheduled for 30 July 2026 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Bishop Rene Ramirez, R.C.J." catholic-hierarchy.org. Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Auxiliary Bishops". melbournecatholic.org. Archdiocese of Melbourne. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 08.11.2024". Vatican.va. The Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Joy overflows at Consecration of Melbourne's newest bishops". Melbourne Catholic. Archdiocese of Melbourne. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Filipino auxiliary bishop named to lead Australia's Sandhurst diocese". CBCP News. 11 April 2026. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ^ Announcement letter, Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst website, 11 April 2026.
External links
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| Province of Melbourne |
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| Province of Brisbane |
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| Province of Perth |
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| Province of Adelaide |
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| Apostolic Nunciature to Australia | |||||
