Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), the peak body for the leaders of religious congregations in Australia today welcomed Pope Francis’ appointment of Fr George Kolodziej SDS, as the fifth Bishop of Bunbury.

Fr George is a valued member of CRA’s Council and has been Superior of the Salvatorians in Australia since October 2018. Responding to the news of his appointment, Bishop-elect George said, “In this Jubilee Year, and in the years to come, my hope is that the Church in this beautiful region of Bunbury will become ever more welcoming, inclusive, joyful, and missionary—bringing hope to all. May the love and goodness of our Saviour transform lives, drawing many hearts closer to Him.”

Welcoming the good news, CRA President, Br Gerard Brady CFC said, “We are delighted to hear of this appointment. George has made a significant contribution to religious life in Australia. His commitment to the mission of the church particularly shown in his outreach to young people will be influential. We wish him many blessings as he assumes this leadership role with the people of God in Bunbury.”

Anne Walker, National Executive Director of CRA, shared, “George brings strong and abiding trust in the love of Jesus for all people to everyone he meets. He generously shares his joy in living his vocation fully in the many areas or his ministry, in education, parish life, with young people and through leadership. We have been blessed to have had George as an energetic member of the CRA Council, ever hope-filled, insightful and focussed on the call to be a prophetic voice in the world.”

Born in Poland, George joined the Salvatorians in September 1987, making his perpetual profession in September 1992. Ordained to the priesthood in Krakow in 1994, he was appointed to Australia, where he undertook pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Perth and the Dioceses of Bunbury and Broken Bay.

Holding Master’s degrees in theology and pastoral care/psychotherapy, along with a postgraduate diploma in addiction studies, it is George’s capacity to be truly present with people and express the joy of the Gospel in all he does which adds depth to this appointment as a bishop who will walk with his people.

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
David Rose | Email: comms@catholicreligious.org.au | Ph: 0409 936 711