Father Nelson Po, an industrial engineering graduate of the Leyte Institute of Technology (now Eastern Visayas State University) and former Editor-in-Chief of The Industrial Wheel, has been named auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Perth in Australia by Pope Leo XIV.
The appointment was announced on Monday, February 2, in a bulletin released by the Holy See Press Office, assigning Father Po the titular see of Agunto.
“The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Nelson Po, of the clergy of the archbishop of Perth, Australia, until now parish priest of Saint Benedict’s parish in Applecross, as auxiliary bishop of the same metropolitan archdiocese, assigning him the titular see of Agunto,” the bulletin read.
Bishop-elect Po, 57, will assist Perth Archbishop Timothy John Costelloe alongside Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton.
Born on June 5, 1968, in Palompon, Leyte, Father Po earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Leyte Institute of Technology, where he was known as a student leader and Editor-in-Chief of the student publication The Industrial Wheel, according to a report by the Daily Tribune.
Moreover, he studied philosophy at Ateneo de Davao University, and completed theology studies at Maryhill School of Theology in Manila.
Father Po arrived in Perth in 2003 to continue his formation at St. Charles Seminary in Guildford and was ordained a priest for the archdiocese in 2005.
He has served as parish vicar in Kalgoorlie (2006–2008), chaplain at Royal Perth Hospital (2008–2010), parish priest of Cloverdale (2010–2016), and parish priest of St. Benedict’s Church in Applecross since 2016.
According to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Media Blog, Father Po said his appointment came as a surprise, describing the moment as overwhelming and expressing reliance on God’s strength as he prepares for episcopal ministry.
“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,” he expressed, according to the said media blog.
His episcopal ordination will take place on a date to be announced following the Easter Triduum.
Article by Alrey Lacaba