In a profound and joyful ceremony held yesterday, 16 April 2026, a capacity crowd of 1,100 people filled St Mary’s Cathedral to witness the official ordination of Father Nelson Po as the Auxiliary Bishop of Perth and Titular Bishop of Aguntum. The episcopal ordination – the first in the archdiocese in over twenty years – marks a historic milestone for the Filipino–Australian Catholic community.
Watch the full Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Nelson Po at St Mary’s Cathedral below:
A shepherd for a new era
Principal consecrator Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB praised the appointment of Bishop Po, calling him “exactly the leader the modern Archdiocese needs.” During the central rite of the ordination, Archbishop Costelloe was joined by co-consecrators Bishop Donald Sproxton, Senior Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, and Bishop Rene Ramirez, RCJ.
The participation of Bishop Ramirez – who made history on 1 February 2025 as the first Filipino priest ever ordained as a bishop in Australia and was recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the 9th Bishop of Sandhurst – was a particularly resonant moment. As the three prelates and nearly twenty other bishops from across Australia laid hands on Bishop Po, the ceremony highlighted the burgeoning influence and recognition of the Filipino diaspora within the Australian Catholic Church.
In his homily, Archbishop Costelloe emphasised the gravity of the calling, explaining that a bishop is “remoulded, reshaped, into a living image of the presence of our one true Good Shepherd.” He offered encouraging words to the new prelate, adding, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a bishop. You just have to be someone who is determined to keep trying, day after day.”
The foundation of the service was the formal reading of the Apostolic Mandate from Pope Leo XIV, officially confirming Bishop Po’s appointment to the titular see of Aguntum and his role as Auxiliary Bishop of Perth.
Family bonds across borders
The ceremony was a deeply personal event, made possible by the presence of family who travelled from the Philippines, including Bishop Po’s brother Marlon (with his wife Vivian and daughter Micah) and his sister Evangeline (with her daughter Giamy). From Melbourne, his cousin Raymond and wife Rochelyn Tan were also in attendance.
Also in attendance to represent the broader community was the Philippine Honorary Consul to Western Australia, Melissa Aguasa, whose presence underscored the national significance of the first Perth bishop of South-East Asian descent.
Archbishop Costelloe made a special point to acknowledge those who could not be present in person, most notably Bishop Nelson’s mother, Norma Abordo, who watched the rites from the Philippines. The Archbishop noted that while she was physically distant, she was “very much at the heart of the celebration.”
The reach of the event extended far beyond the cathedral walls, with the YouTube livestream attracting over 5,000 views. This digital congregation allowed thousands of faithful – particularly from the Bishop’s home province of Leyte – to join in the prayer and celebration in real-time.
Humble origins, grand calling
Born in the village of Cantuhaon in Palompon, Leyte, Bishop Po is the third of six children born to the late Lope Po and Norma Abordo. Before entering the priesthood, he worked as an industrial and management engineer – a background he credits with helping him navigate the complex organisational needs of parish life with a practical perspective. He moved to Australia in 2003 and was ordained a priest in 2005.
The humility that has defined his ministry was evident from the moment his appointment was first announced in early February. Reflecting on the phone call he received from the Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Po admitted at the time that the news was a complete shock.
“It was overwhelming and surreal because I have never dreamed of becoming a bishop,” he shared in an initial interview. “I went straight to the chapel and became very emotional. I felt so inadequate and unworthy, but I know that God’s strength will carry me through.”
In a moving portion of his address at the conclusion of the rites, he looked back on the unlikely path that led him to the cathedral sanctuary.
“Who would have thought that a seemingly hesitant seminarian arriving in Perth in 2003, a seemingly reluctant immigrant, would one day lead the flock in this beautiful Archdiocese of Perth?” he asked.
Bishop Po acknowledged the presence of his family members who came all the way from Melbourne, Sydney, and other parts of Australia to witness the occasion. He also expressed his deep gratitude to his mother in the Philippines, acknowledging the foundational role of his parents in his life and vocation.
He reiterated that without the generous spirit of the Perth community, he would not have reached this milestone. His chosen episcopal motto, “Walk Humbly with God,” reflects this lifelong commitment.
With Bishop Nelson Po now serving in Perth, the Filipino–Australian community sees its deep faith and service recognised at the highest levels of the Australian Church. As Bishop Po’s message to the assembly concluded: “I humbly express my commitment to serve you all with compassion, to journey with you in generosity and to walk humbly with our God. Thank you, and may God bless us all.”
Photo highlights. Credit: Infinitum Studios/Archdiocese of Perth
