Wednesday 18 June 2025
It is with great pride that we congratulate Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay on his appointment by Pope Leo XIV as the new Archbishop of Brisbane, succeeding Archbishop Mark Coleridge who is retiring after 13 years leading the Archdiocese of Brisbane and more than five decades as a priest. Since 2019, Bishop Mackinlay has faithfully served the Diocese of Sandhurst, where his leadership and presence have been deeply valued.
The appointment recognises Bishop Mackinlay's leadership, pastoral sensitivity and academic strength, as well as his contributions to both the Australian and global Church. Since his episcopal ordination, he has been an influential and deeply respected figure within the Diocese of Sandhurst, forging strong connections with local communities, clergy and schools.
Bishop Mackinlay has led the Sandhurst Diocese with humility, wisdom and a deep commitment to faith and service. During his five and a half years as Bishop, he has become a much-loved presence across the Diocese, including within its 55 Catholic schools.
Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, Kate Fogarty, described Bishop Shane as a deeply present and engaged leader.
"His advocacy for education has been second to none, and has always shown interest in what we do and what matters to us. But perhaps more importantly, he has been a humble and human leader, deeply present to our staff and our students, attending and taking joy in so many of our important events and celebrations," said Ms Fogarty.
In a statement released following the announcement, Bishop Mackinlay said:
"I am deeply honoured by Pope Leo’s decision to appoint me as Archbishop of Brisbane – a diocese that has such a strong tradition of fostering the liturgical, spiritual, evangelising and educational endeavours of the Catholic community, both within the Archdiocese and more broadly.
"I am particularly pleased that I will be following Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who has been a friend and mentor to me for many years. In his thirteen years as Archbishop of Brisbane, he has led the Archdiocese with great conviction and generosity, as well as making a very significant contribution to the Church beyond the Archdiocese. In particular, I see the Action Plans that he promulgated after last year’s Archdiocesan Synod as providing a clear direction for the Church in Brisbane, as we seek to develop a more synodal Church that effectively proclaims Jesus’ good news in our contemporary world. I look forward to working to implement those plans, in collaboration with all who contributed to the process of developing them."
Reflecting on his time in Sandhurst, Bishop Mackinlay offered heartfelt thanks.
"Since I became the Bishop of Sandhurst nearly six years ago, I have been greatly encouraged and inspired by the lively faith and commitment of the people, priests and communities of the Diocese, and by the generous friendship and welcome they have offered to me personally. I am grateful to have shared in the pilgrim journey of the People of God here, where we have together begun new initiatives in living out our mission as Jesus’ disciples.
"While I will be sad to move on from the Sandhurst Diocese, I am excited by this opportunity to serve the broader Church in a new way.
"I ask for your prayerful support for me, for the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and for the Diocese of Sandhurst, as I prepare to take up this ministry."
The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, acknowledged Bishop Mackinlay’s academic and pastoral experience as well as his contributions to the wider Church, including his leadership during the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia and participation in the Synod of Bishops.
"The Archbishop-elect’s pastoral experience in his home diocese of Ballarat, and his leadership of the diocese of Sandhurst, together with his strong academic background, will stand him in good stead as he takes up the new challenge of pastoral leadership in the Archdiocese of Brisbane," Archbishop Costelloe said.
"So, too, will be his significant contribution to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue which has been a particular feature of his contribution to the work of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference."
Archbishop Coleridge also warmly welcomed the appointment of his successor.
"For many reasons I welcome the appointment of Bishop Shane Mackinlay as my successor in Brisbane where he will be a distinguished addition to the line of Archbishops," said Archbishop Coleridge.
"Bishop Shane has shown himself an unusually gifted man in his years as priest in Ballarat and Melbourne and as bishop in Bendigo and beyond. He has a fine mind, and he will bring intellectual firepower to his ministry as Archbishop and to public debate in Queensland and Australia.
"He is also an experienced pastor who knows how to listen and who through his time as Master of Catholic Theological College in Melbourne remained a Parish Priest near Ballarat. As bishop, he has been able both to shepherd the Diocese of Sandhurst and to accept responsibility on the global stage.
"He deals well with both the big picture and the nuts and bolts, which is why he is a capable administrator. That will serve him well in a diocese as large and as complex as Brisbane. Temperamentally, he is not easily flustered, having about him a poise that makes him a good driver in heavy traffic. That too will serve him well as Archbishop at a time when the traffic can be heavy.
"At 60 he is also of the right age and maturity to assume greater responsibility not only in Brisbane and Queensland but nationally and internationally. I have no doubt Bishop Shane will bring these gifts and fresh energies to the Archdiocese of Brisbane, where he will be creative in pursuing the path of synodality into the future God is preparing.
"I am grateful to Pope Leo for this wise choice of a new Archbishop, and I commend Bishop Shane to you and your prayers as he prepares for this new mission."
Catholic Education Sandhurst expresses deep gratitude for Bishop Mackinlay’s leadership, presence and pastoral care. His support of our schools and students has been a hallmark of his episcopate in Sandhurst. While we will miss him, we wish him every blessing as he prepares to take up his new role as Archbishop of Brisbane.
Bishop Mackinlay will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving (Farewell Mass) at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, on Sunday 7 September 2025. He will be installed as Archbishop of Brisbane at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, on Thursday 11 September 2025.
After Bishop Mackinlay’s installation, the College of Consultors will elect a priest to serve as Diocesan Administrator until a new bishop is appointed.
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