New Archbishop of Hobart installed: ‘From descendant of a convict to a shepherd among you’

By Catherine Sheehan

The new Archbishop of Hobart, Most Reverend Anthony John Ireland, was installed on Tuesday 12 August at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart during a Mass attended by close to 600 people, including bishops, clergy and lay people from around the country.

During his address, Archbishop Ireland spoke of his ancestor, a convict from England who was transported to Tasmania.

“On 9 November 1824, a youth named John Carey Ireland stepped off the Princess Charlotte and onto the shores of Van Diemen’s Land,” Archbishop Ireland said.

“He was born in 1811 and so was just thirteen, when convicted of petty larceny—pickpocketing in Bristol—and sentenced to 14 years’ transportation. John was my sister Pat’s, my cousin Pauline’s, and my great, great, grandfather.

“Two hundred and one years after John’s arrival, I stand before you—thankfully not in shackles, but in hope—as a shepherd of the Church and an ambassador for Jesus Christ in this place,” Archbishop Ireland said.

Wearing the chasuble his parents had gifted him on the occasion of his priestly ordination in 1987, Archbishop Ireland also referred to the ring he wore, given to him by Bishop Les Tomlinson after he was nominated a bishop.

As he concluded his speech, Archbishop Ireland gave thanks for his new role.

“But the greatest gift I received today is the shepherd’s care of you—the priests, deacons, religious, and people of the Archdiocese: for this I thank the Lord and I thank you.

“A new chapter begins today, and I do not walk it alone. Pope Francis has called this a Jubilee of Hope. Let us walk together as pilgrims of hope—bearing light, binding wounds, and lifting each other up in mercy.

“From the descendant of a 13-year-old convict to a shepherd among you—please accept my thanks as though it was said to you alone.”

Archbishop Ireland’s family and friends were among the hundreds filling the Cathedral for the historic Mass.

Concelebrating the Mass was His Eminence, Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, and Archbishops Emeritus of Hobart, Julian Porteous and Adrian Doyle.

Among the dignitaries present was the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker AC and Emeritus Professor, Don Chalmers AO.

At the beginning of the Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio read out the Papal Bull, declaring Pope Leo XIV’s appointment of Archbishop Ireland as Archbishop of Hobart.

Archbishop Ireland was then ceremonially led by Archbishop Costelloe, and the Apostolic Nuncio, to the Cathedra, the seat of the Diocesan Bishop. Bishop Martin Ashe presented Archbishop Guilford Young’s crozier to the new Archbishop. The congregation responded with enthusiastic applause as the Archbishop sat in the Cathedra for the first time.

Representatives of Tasmania’s 71,000 Catholics from various parishes, schools, social welfare organisations, Christian churches, and civic leaders—then came forward to formally greet Archbishop Ireland.

“From convict chaplaincies to schools and parishes scattered across this island, Tasmania’s Catholic story has been one of quiet fidelity, courageous perseverance, and grace upon grace,” Archbishop Ireland said in his homily.

“To stand here is to stand in the footprints of missionaries, religious, laity and families—often poor, often struggling, but always faithful. We honour this history today with sacred objects that span our story—the chalice of Bishop Willson, the first bishop of Hobart, the pectoral cross of Archbishop Hayden, and the silver jubilee crozier of Archbishop Young.”

Archbishop Ireland said “The Spirit” was “already at work in Tasmania” where the Church has “treasures” of “spiritual, historical, and human” nature. He urged the faithful of Tasmania to look to the future with hope and a sense of unity.

“So let us walk together—bishop, clergy, religious, and lay faithful. Let us be a Church of the Upper Room: Spirit-filled, alive with joy, and bearing peace.

“As we turn the page and write a new chapter in Tasmania’s Catholic story, may we walk as pilgrims of hope—and with our lives, sing the praise of God from whom all blessings flow.”

Principal of St Patrick’s College in Prospect, Liz Illingworth, was one of the community representatives presented to Archbishop Ireland during the Mass.

“It was a special moment to meet Archbishop Tony and in our brief exchange he said how happy he was that St Patrick’s college has been chosen as one of the schools to be presented to him,” she said.

“We look forward to Archbishop Ireland working with our Catholic Schools over this next period.”

Launceston parishioner Jodie Campbell was one of several people who travelled from the north of the state for the special event.

“The Installation of the new Archbishop was such a reverent and solemn occasion,” she said.

“I wanted not only to witness but to show that it was not just Hobart parishioners but the whole Archdiocese welcoming Archbishop Tony.

“I was in awe of the support shown by the other bishops from around Australia and Cardinal Bychok travelling to Tasmania.

“The procession [of clergy] was beautiful, seeing long columns of white.  It was such a spiritually uplifting sight.”

Cathedral parishioners Jack and Kim McKenzie said it was the first installation Mass they had attended.

“It was a privilege to be able to join in celebrating the Installation of the new Archbishop and to witness such a historic moment in the life of the Tasmanian Church,” Jack said.

“We felt honoured that we were able to attend as a number of people we know missed out due to the capacity of the Cathedral being exceeded,” he added.

“There was a very powerful sense of being part of the wider Church in Australia as so many priests, bishops, and archbishops came from every part of the country to join in the installation,” Kim commented.

“We were seated next to some parishioners from Launceston who made the trip to Hobart for the Mass. We left feeling very proud to be Catholic.”

An evening of prayer for our new shepherd

The liturgical reception of Archbishop Tony Ireland into the Archdiocese of Hobart began with the celebration of Vespers at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on 11 August, the eve of his Installation Mass.

The evening of prayer began with Archbishop Ireland ceremoniously knocking three times with a wooden hammer on the front doors of the Cathedral. The doors were then opened allowing him to enter into the Cathedral foyer where he was greeted by Archbishop Emeritus Julian Porteous. This symbolic act signified the new Archbishop’s reception and welcome into the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Ireland was presented with a crucifix which he kissed. He then blessed those present with Holy Water before processing down the central aisle of the Cathedral, blessing the congregation as he went. He spent time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the Lady Chapel before proceeding to the main altar for the Office of Vespers.

“Tonight’s liturgical reception ritual begins the process for canonical installation of our new diocesan bishop, which will realise its culmination in tomorrow morning’s celebration of the Eucharist,” Archbishop Porteous said in his greeting to the congregation.

“As we welcome our new Archbishop this evening, and enter into the Liturgy of the Hours, let us invoke the intercession of St Clare of Assisi, as we hope and pray for our Archbishop-elect and his ministry to the local church of Hobart.”

In his homily Archbishop Porteous spoke of the transforming nature of God’s grace.

“Tonight, in these moments of prayer, we lift our eyes to the Lord, and we invoke His grace upon our brother Anthony,” he said.