Pope Leo XIV has appointed Perth priest Fr Nelson Po as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Perth, an appointment confirmed by the Holy See and welcomed by Church leaders in Western Australia. The decision highlights the continuing contribution of migrant clergy to the life of the Catholic Church in Australia.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe described the appointment as a moment of “great joy and excitement”, saying the Archdiocese of Perth has been gifted with “a new and dynamic shepherd”. He noted that Bishop-elect Nelson’s pastoral gifts are already well known to clergy and laity.
From Leyte to Perth
Fr Nelson Po was born on 5 June 1968 in the village of Cantuhaon, Palompon, Leyte, in the Philippines. He is the third of six children of Norma Abordo and Lope Po. His journey to the priesthood did not follow a straight path. After completing secondary education, he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial and management engineering and worked in his profession for several years.
That experience outside church life gave him a practical understanding of people’s daily realities – something that would later shape his approach to pastoral ministry.
A call shaped by formation and service
Drawn to religious life, he entered the Blessed Sacrament Congregation and completed a master’s degree in theology, majoring in pastoral ministry, at the Maryhill School of Theology in Manila. In 2003, at the invitation of then Perth archbishop Barry Hickey, he moved to Australia to continue his priestly formation at St Charles Seminary in Guildford.
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Perth on 9 December 2005.
Since then, Fr Nelson’s ministry has taken him to diverse pastoral settings across Western Australia. He served as parish vicar in Kalgoorlie – Boulder, chaplain to Royal Perth Hospital, parish priest of Cloverdale, and, since 2016, parish priest of Applecross. Alongside parish responsibilities, he has also undertaken archdiocesan roles, earning respect for his pastoral sensitivity, attentiveness, and steady commitment to his parish communities.
A humble response to a new calling
In reflecting on the phone call he received from the apostolic nuncio, advising him of the Holy Father’s appointment, Fr Nelson spoke openly about the moment.
“It was a big surprise to me. It was overwhelming and surreal because I have never dreamed of becoming a bishop. 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.”
Those words reflect the humility and faith that many parishioners and colleagues have long associated with his ministry.
A milestone for Filipino-Australian Catholics
For the Filipino-Australian Catholic community, the appointment carries particular significance. Bishop-elect Nelson Po is only the second Filipino-born priest to be appointed bishop in Australia, following Melbourne auxiliary bishop Rene Ramirez, whose journey and ordination were previously covered in celebrating the episcopal ordination of the Most Reverend Rene Ramirez.
Together, their appointments point to the growing presence of Filipino clergy within the leadership of the Australian Church.
Walking the synodal path
Archbishop Costelloe also highlighted Fr Nelson’s involvement in the Church’s synodal life. He has contributed to the Archdiocese of Perth’s Plenary Council Reference Group and the Perth Diocesan Assembly Reference Group, and participated in the Jubilee for Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies held in Rome in October 2025.
These roles reflect a leadership style shaped by listening, shared discernment, and collaboration.
Looking ahead
As auxiliary bishop, Bishop-elect Nelson Po will serve alongside Bishop Don Sproxton, supporting the pastoral and administrative life of the Archdiocese of Perth. His episcopal ordination will take place after the Easter Triduum, with the date yet to be announced.
Recent episcopal appointments in Australia include several bishops who were born overseas, reflecting a Church shaped by migration, shared faith, and global mission.
From a small village in Leyte to episcopal service in Perth, Bishop-elect Nelson Po’s journey mirrors the experience of many Australian Catholics today – diverse in origin, grounded in service, and looking ahead with hope.
