We look ahead with joy to the installation of Archbishop-elect Shane Mackinlay as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Brisbane this September. Reflecting on his transition from Sandhurst, he honours the inspiring legacy of Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Mark Coleridge and looks forward to learning, leading, and fostering strong bonds across our community. Let us keep him in our prayers as he prepares to embrace this new chapter.
Transcript
When will you be installed as the Archbishop of Brisbane?
It’s a slightly longer gap from the announcement to the installation than would normally be the case. That’s because I’ve got six weeks already planned when I’ve got commitments in Europe, and a little bit of a holiday as well. That leaves five weeks now where I’ll be continuing with my normal commitments around the Diocese of Sandhurst and in Victoria. Farewell to the people there and try to help get things set up there for the time which will probably be some months at least until a new bishop is appointed in Sandhurst.
What stands out about Brisbane?
I’ve been to Brisbane a number of times over the years. I’ve got some family who live here so that’s that’s been a good opportunity to have a connection here. It’s a different perspective of course coming and thinking about being the Archbishop here. But it’s a beautiful city and it’s always struck me as a place that has a very homely feel. Yeah, no, I’m very much looking forward to it.
How do you feel about being appointed as the new Archbishop of Brisbane?
So it’s certainly a big shift. But at the same time I’ve had a number of big shifts over the years. And I value enormously and I have great affection for the people, the priests, the communities in Sandhurst, Bendigo in Victoria where I’ve been based for nearly six years now. I’m very conscious that I’m not from here, I don’t know the place, I’m going to have to do a lot of learning of the people and of the culture, the history. And I’m really looking forward to that.
What have you learned from Archbishop Mark Coleridge’s leadership?
I’ve always admired Archbishop Mark enormously. I was in the first class that he taught when he came back as a bright young thing with his scripture degree. And he’s always been characterised by great vision and energy, eloquence. He has great capacity to inspire people and certainly that’s something of what he’s done for me over the years. And I’m delighted to be able to follow him here as I did eventually as Master at the Theology College. I’m very confident in what I’ve seen of what he’s put in place and the people that are here who he’s fostered. Building on a really strong legacy, it’s one of the great things about the Archdiocese. And that’s a wonderful legacy to be stepping into and which I’m certainly very committed to fostering.