The ceremony for my installation as Archbishop was a wonderful celebration for the archdiocese.
We don’t get many opportunities to gather in a way that brings together the breadth of the People of God who make up the archdiocese, especially in a way that makes clear our communion with the whole Church and our involvement with the broader community.
The liturgy to welcome me included parishioners and clergy from across the archdiocese, members of religious institutes, students and staff of Catholic schools, people involved with our various social agencies, bishops from around Australia, Indigenous leaders, representatives of other Churches and political leaders from local, state and national governments.
Together, we showed the entire life and activity of the archdiocese, living as part of the whole Church and contributing to the wider community.
It was a joyful gathering of a vibrant and flourishing faith community that is clearly a valuable and appreciated part of our society.
I felt welcomed and encouraged that there are wonderful people and resources to draw on in taking up my ministry as archbishop.
I also felt aware of how much I need to learn about the people, communities and history of this archdiocese.
I know that it will take time to become familiar with all of this and for people here to get to know me.
Fortunately, we don’t have an immediate deadline for this.
After many weeks of anticipation since my appointment was announced, it is good to have commenced now as archbishop and to know that there is time for this initial stage to get underway.
What I have experienced of the archdiocese so far affirms the impression I had from outside – there is much here to celebrate and build on.
There are so many generous and faith-filled people who are contributing to our parish communities and our broader society and supporting our work in education, formation and social services.
I am grateful for the leadership of Archbishop Mark Coleridge over the last 13 years.
I have known Archbishop Mark for 40 years, as an inspiring and courageous teacher, scholar and Church leader.
As I see more of the work he has undertaken here in Brisbane, I feel honoured to be following him and to have the opportunity to build on all that he has done here.
One of Archbishop Mark’s main priorities was the Archdiocesan Synod that was held last year.
This was a concrete response to Pope Francis’ call, echoed by Pope Leo, for us to become a more synodal Church.
I am delighted to see the consultation process that was undertaken for the synod here, and the concrete goals that have been articulated in the 50 action plans it formulated for implementing the decrees of the Australian Plenary Council.
I was the vice president of the Plenary Council and a delegate of the Australian bishops to the international Synod for a Synodal Church, so I am aware of how significant it is to become more synodal and of how valuable the archdiocese’s synod has been in contributing to this.
The action plans set out clear directions for us over the coming five years and I am pleased to hear that they are already being used to guide the work of our parishes and agencies.
They are helping us to be more synodal – not just by holding more synods, but by enhancing the way that all the baptised can share in responsibility for the life of our Church and continue the mission of Jesus that has been entrusted to us.
Much of what I am doing now is first meetings and conversations with individuals, groups and various councils and boards.
I haven’t started to travel around the archdiocese yet, but that will happen more before the end of the year, as I attend events in different parts of the archdiocese.
At this stage, I am still relying on the GPS in my car to navigate around Brisbane.
In a similar way, I am also relying on the guidance and hints that I am receiving from the various people who are involved in the life of the archdiocese.
I am appreciative of all the assistance and support that I am receiving in this time – both in my car and around the archdiocese – and I am looking forward to becoming more familiar personally with the life of the Church here in south east Queensland.