New Archbishop of Hobart, Anthony John Ireland, to be installed on August 12

Selected as the new Archbishop of Hobart by Pope Leo XIV, Anthony John Ireland will officially be installed in the role at a special mass in two weeks’ time.

The new Archbishop of Hobart Anthony John Ireland. Picture: Giovanni Portelli

The new Archbishop of Hobart, Anthony John Ireland, says he will approach the role with “a spirit of service and devotion” as he prepares to be officially installed at a special mass next week.

Pope Leo XIV has tapped Archbishop-elect Ireland to succeed Julian Porteous as the head of the Catholic Church in Tasmania.

Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, will read out the Papal Bull at the beginning of the mass at St Mary’s Cathedral at 11am on Tuesday, August 12.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's square during his Angelus prayer at the Vatican on July 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Clergy and bishops from across the country will be in attendance, as well as local dignitaries such as Governor Barbara Baker and Tasmanian politicians.

Archbishop-elect Ireland was previously the Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne. The Vatican announced his appointment as the eleventh Archbishop of Hobart on June 20.

“I’m very much looking forward to being among you,” he said.

“It is with a spirit of service and devotion that I come to the Archdiocese of Hobart.

“I kindly ask for your prayers – for me, and for all those I will soon be blessed to serve and guide.”

Born and raised in Caulfield in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, Archbishop-elect Ireland was ordained to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in 1987.

He went on to serve in the parishes of Grovedale, Torquay, Mentone, Sandringham, Langwarrin, Frankston, and Doncaster. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne in 2021.

Originally published as New Archbishop of Hobart, Anthony John Ireland, to be installed on August 12