The announcement of the Holy See that Pope Francis has appointed me as the new Archbishop of Hobart occurs while I am attending World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. I regret that I cannot be in Australia at this time.

I receive the news of my appointment as the eleventh bishop of Hobart with joy and expectation.
My years as priest and bishop have been within the Archdiocese of Sydney. I look at my appointment to Tasmania with the intention of making this beautiful island my home and its people my people.

As Archbishop I embrace the call of Blessed John Paul II at the turn of the millennium to “start afresh from Christ”. I invite you to join me in the time ahead to seek a deeper relationship with Christ that he may shape our thoughts, words and actions. Christ is our sure foundation and the hope that inspires us to embrace and live our Catholic faith to the full. In and through Christ the Catholic faith is our treasure and our joy.

The great mission of the Church in our time is the New Evangelisation. All Catholics are called to discover our task in the world of enabling individuals and cultures to be transformed by the power of the Gospel. I want to make the New Evangelisation the pastoral strategy to my service among you.

I look forward to formally taking up my role as Archbishop. I look forward to meeting you all that we might grow in mutual love and serve the needs of all in Tasmania.

May we grow together, united in our faith in Christ. May he be the inspiration of all we do together. May he be glorified in our lives and in the Church in Tasmania.

May the blessing of God be upon you all.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Julian Porteous.