ARCHBISHOP Julian Porteous has described his first week as pastor of Tasmania’s Catholics as a “whirlwind”.
“We had a wonderful installation ceremony in St Mary’s Cathedral,” he said about the September 17 Mass.
“I was delighted that my mother (Pam), who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, was able to come.
“She was a bit hesitant about coming this far, but my brother was able to accompany her and she loved it.
“She really enjoyed the occasion and was very much encouraged by so many people coming up to her and congratulating her as the mother of an Archbishop.”
More than 600 people attended Archbishop Porteous’ installation.
Archbishop Porteous, from Sydney, took over from Archbishop Adrian Doyle, now retired after 14 years of episcopal service.
Clergy present included Australia’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Denis Hart, Cardinal George Pell, Brisbane auxiliary Bishop Joseph Oudeman and 28 bishops from around Australia and a large number of priests.
Public dignitaries, including Tasmania’s Governor Peter Underwood and Premier Lara Giddings, also attended.
Archbishop Porteous is now building his relationship with the archdiocese.
“I’m trying to meet a lot of people and have had a number of invitations to attend events,” he said.
“I went up to the very north-west of the island on the weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to getting around and meeting the people of the Archdiocese of Hobart.
“I want to visit parishes, visit schools, hospitals and the various works of the archdiocese to meet as many people as I can.”
Archbishop Porteous was previously an auxiliary bishop in Sydney
