The Catholic Diocese of Bunbury today celebrates the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of the Most Rev George Kolodziej SDS as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Bunbury, Western Australia.

Bishop George was ordained and installed at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Bunbury, which the Church today marks as the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.

Special guests attending this joyous event included the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, bishops from across Australia, members of the clergy from the dioceses of both Perth and Bunbury, as well as family, friends and other invited guests from overseas and around Australia.

Apostolic Administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury (and president of the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference – ACBC) the Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB said, “The Bishops of Western Australia and I warmly welcome Bishop Kolodziej and look forward to working with him as he commences his ministry of service to the Diocese of Bunbury and to the people of the South West.

It has been my pleasure to serve as Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Bunbury since 30 June 2022 and I wish to thank everyone in the Diocese for their support and encouragement during this time.

Now responsibility for the care of the Diocese of Bunbury is passed on to Bishop George, who brings 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.

These same gifts will enrich the life and work of his brother bishops through his involvement with them in the work of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference,” said Archbishop Costelloe SDB.

Fr George, 56, was born in Dobra, Poland. Fr George’s religious journey with the Salvatorians began when he entered the novitiate in September 1987. He made his perpetual profession in the Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS) in September 1992.

Ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, Archbishop of Krakow, in 1994, he 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 (NSW), 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 was active in youth ministry, organising World Youth Day pilgrimages and serving on the Australian National World Youth Day Committee. 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.

In 2017, he joined the Salvatorian Formation Commission and served as a spiritual father at the Salvatorian Formation House in Melbourne since October 2018. Fr George directs the Salvatorian Spirituality Centre in Perth and is a member of the Council of Catholic Religious Australia and the Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of Perth.

He has also served as a chaplain for Catholic Education Western Australia since January 2019. Fr George holds Master’s degrees in theology and pastoral care/psychotherapy, along with a postgraduate diploma in addiction studies. As a psychotherapist at a rehabilitation centre on the NSW Central Coast, he provided counselling and support to men recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, combining his pastoral and professional expertise to guide individuals towards healing and recovery.

Newly Ordained Bishop George Kolodziej SDS offered these words during the Installation ceremony today.

”I am deeply grateful to Archbishop Tim, who prepared and ordained me, and who led us so beautifully in our liturgy. I am also deeply grateful to my co-consecrators, Bishop Karol and Bishop Gerard, to the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles, and to all the Australian bishops who have made great efforts to be here today.

Your support, personal welcome, and encouragement mean so much to me.

As we witnessed today, this gathering is made up of laypeople, religious, and priests from all parts of the world, all parts of Australia, and all parts of our diocese. I am grateful for the presence of representatives from other Christian denominations, other faiths, and the local community.

Your presence is a sign of unity and shared respect, which I am committed to fostering and growing. Thank you for being here.

Over the past few months, I have been overwhelmed by the many good wishes and prayers I have received from people all over the diocese. I look forward to getting to know each of you in the months and years ahead,” said Bishop George.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Brett Mendez
Media Liaison, Catholic Diocese of Bunbury
Email: media@bunburycatholic.org.au
Mobile: +61 0412 903 205