Pope Francis has appointed Most Rev Anthony Randazzo as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay.
53 year-old Bishop Anthony has been an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Sydney since 2016. He succeeds the Most Rev Peter A Comensoli who was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne in 2018.
Bishop Anthony brings a great breadth of experience into his new ministry, having served in leadership roles, both in Australia and internationally. He is a Canon Lawyer, and was Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary in Queensland from 2009-2015 and worked in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome from 2004-2009.
As Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Bishop Anthony has served as Episcopal Vicar for Formation, with a strong focus on the formation of seminarians, young clergy and the ongoing formation of priests. He has also been Chair of the Board of Sydney Catholic Schools and a member for the Bishops’ Commission for the Plenary Council.
Administrator of the Diocese of Broken Bay, Fr David Ranson, who has led the Diocese over the past 15 months, said the Diocese was thrilled to be welcoming Bishop Anthony.
“We have enormous delight at this news and express our joyful gratitude to the Holy Father for enabling this appointment. There is a great sense of anticipation about the future with Bishop Anthony as our new shepherd,” said Fr David.
“Bishop Anthony is simply a wonderful choice. He is a recognised expert in canon law and the formation of clergy, in the promotion of vocations and in the important fields of education and youth ministry," he added.
Bishop Anthony said he was honoured and humbled by the appointment and was looking forward to serving the more than 200,000 Catholics across Sydney’s North Shore, Northern Beaches and the NSW Central Coast.
“But ultimately this appointment is not about me; it is about Jesus Christ, and about how we, as living members of the Body of Christ, bring Him to the world through how we live and how we speak. We are instruments in His hands,” he said.
“The Coat of Arms for the Diocese of Broken Bay features an image of the lighthouse on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, with the Chi Rho – one of the earliest symbols for Christ – marked on the side. It is a reminder that Christ is our Light. He leads us and guides us, both to the open waters and back into safe harbour,” said Bishop Anthony.
Bishop Anthony thanked Fr Ranson for his leadership of the Diocese of Broken Bay as its administrator over the past 15 months. He also paid tribute to the Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher for his support since he became a Bishop in August 2016.
“Archbishop Fisher has been a father and brother to me, a mentor and guide, a helper and wise friend. I am grateful to him for his leadership, and for his example of how to be a priest and Bishop,” he said.
Speaking to the faithful of his new Diocese in a video message, Bishop Anthony said: “I am eager to walk with you, imitating Christ as the Good Shepherd - always present amongst His flock. Please pray for me as I begin this new mission entrusted to me by the Lord. Pray that I may be a shepherd after the Heart of Christ.”
The date for Bishop Anthony Randazzo’s installation will be announced shortly.
Watch Bishop Anthony's welcome message to the people of Broken Bay:
Statement from Bishop Anthony Randazzo (PDF 190.7KB)
Media Release from Archdiocese of Sydney (PDF 123.5KB)
Media Release from Diocese of Broken Bay (PDF 248.1KB)
Statement from the Australian Catholics Bishops Conference (PDF 214KB)