Pope Francis has appointed Fr George Kolodziej SDS, former Parish Priest of Pittwater, as the Bishop of Bunbury.
Fr George served in the Diocese of Broken Bay for almost two decades until 2018, when he was appointed Superior of the Salvatorians in Australia.
In an announcement on Monday, the Holy Father announced the 56-year-old priest would become the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Bunbury, which covers the entire southwestern portion of Western Australia.
The Diocese has been without a Bishop since June 2023 when Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerard Holohan, who led the diocese for 22 years until his retirement at the age of 75.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe SDB, said the bishop-elect was “profoundly marked by the richness of his Salvatorian charism”.
“Fr George will bring a wealth of experience in parish ministry, in youth ministry, and in spiritual and pastoral accompaniment to the new mission to the Church in Bunbury to which the Lord has called him,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“These same gifts will also enrich the life and work of his brother bishops through his involvement with them in the work of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. We look forward to welcoming him among us.”
Fr George was born in Dobra, Poland and joined the Society of the Divine Saviour (commonly known as the Salvatorians) in September 1987. He made his perpetual profession in September 1992.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, Archbishop of Krakow, in 1994, and was sent to the Australian region of the Salvatorians, where he undertook pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Perth and the Diocese of Bunbury.
Having served in the parish of Greenmount and Chisholm Catholic College, he was elected Vice Superior of the Salvatorian Region of Australia in December 1999.
In December 2000, Fr George began ministry in the Diocese of Broken Bay, serving as school chaplain at St Leo’s Catholic College (2001-2008), assistant priest at Pymble Parish (2001-2003), East Gosford Parish (2003-2008), and later parish priest of Pittwater Parish (2008–2018).
He also held leadership roles, including as a member of the Council of Priests and the College of Consultors for the Diocese of Broken Bay.
Fr George’s ordination and installation is expected to be held in March.