Episcopal Ordination of Fr George Kolodziej SDS, Fifth Bishop of Bunbury
The Episcopal Ordination of the Most Reverend George Kolodziej SDS, as the Fifth Bishop of Bunbury took place in St Patrick's Cathedral, Bunbury on Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
The Episcopal Ordination and Installation was available live on the day and the link below contains that material. A selection of photographs from the gathering is also given below.
The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop George Kolodziej SDS 5th Bishop of Bunbury
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the new Bishop of the Diocese of Bunbury.
Letter to the people of God in the Diocese of Bunbury from Bishop-Elect Father George Kolodziej SDS (PDF 76.1KB)
Announcement of the appointment of the new Bishop of Bunbury
Bunbury Bishop-elect Fr George Kolodziej, has said coming to Australia as a 25-year-old priest was like being born anew — a new language, culture, mentality, and the need for a fresh approach to his ministry.
My relationship with Jesus must be the foundation of all I do
The Coat of Arms for Bishop George Kolodziej SDS
A bishop's coat of arms is distinguished by a sign of his rank. That sign, placed over the shield, is a particular version of an ecclesiastical hat, or Galero, that was worn in processions, as late as 1870. The hat is low-crowned, flat, and wide brimmed.
On a bishop's coat of arms, the hat is green and hanging from it are 12 green tassels, six on each side.
There's also a processional cross above the shield. The cross on a bishop's coat of arms has one bar; an archbishop's cross has two. The design of the shield itself differs from bishop to bishop.
The crest for Bishop George Kolodziej projects the simple life of a religious. With this mind, the overall design is graphic, clean, modern and simple.
The bishop's simple stylised Galero with cords, and tiered stylised tassels are flanking the shield.
These "tassels" were designed with a little "movement" to be more inviting, in this new ministry and in the lives of all whom he has encountered in his thirty years of priestly ministry.
The simple gold cross is placed vertically behind the shield. The gold used has a hint of red, depicting the red earth of Australia, especially in Western Australia.
The shield has a blue background bordered by the red gold. The prominent colour blue is a reminder of the bishop's devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Blue also depicts the sky and the sea, which Bunbury is close to. The Bunbury lighthouse is a striking landmark. It stands some 25 metres above the ground and its light is visible from 27 kilometres away. Just as the lighthouse guides the ships safely into the harbour, this diocese will continue to guide and radiate light and hope.
On the shield are the stars of the Southern Cross which represents Australia, and is coincidently symbolic of the wounds of Christ.
On the top left of the shield is an open Bible, the Word of God. We must share the joy of the Gospel and live the Word of God.
In Polish, Kolodziej, is an occupational surname derived from the occupation of kotodziej ("wheelwright"). The wheel evokes Bishop Kolodziej's family, birthplace, his ministry and his personal devotion.
The motto chosen by Bishop Kolodziej appears on a scroll below the shield. "Gaudete in Domino semper" - "Rejoice in the Lord always" taken from Philipians 4:4.