by Joel V. Ocampo
Today, November 8, 2024, the Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Rene Ramirez, R.C.I., until now parish priest of Saint Mel and Saint Malachy in Shepparton, Diocese of Sandhurst, as one of the New Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Australia.
Early Life, Education, and Vocation
Msgr. Ramirez was born on March 29, 1969, in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He entered the religious institute of the Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus. He studied Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Adamson University in Manila. He received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on June 27, 1998. He earned his Master’s in Educational Management at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas while serving as Vice Rector at Rogationist College in Cavite City. In 2003, he went to Rome to complete his Licentiate studies in Spirituality and earn a Diploma in Social Communications from the Pontificia Università Gregoriana in Rome.
Msgr. Ramirez received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on June 27, 1998. As a priest, Msgr. Ramirez served in the following:
Vocation Director, Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus,
Administrator, Treasurer, and Vice Rector, Rogationist College-Seminary in Cavite, Philippines (1998),
Director of Communications and Spiritual Director, Rogationist Seminary College in Parañaque City (2006-2009),
Superior, Saint Hannibal Rogate Center (2009-2015),
Parish Priest, Holy Family Parish, in Maidstone-Braybrook, Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia (2015-2023), and
Parish Priest, Saint Mel Parish (Shepparton South) and Saint Malachy Parish in Nagambie (since 2023).
According to the records of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, “In Australia, Fr. Rene played a crucial role in the amalgamation of the partnered parishes of Maidstone and Braybrook in 2018 and has been actively involved in parish renewal through Ron Huntley Leadership Coaching. In January 2024, he was tasked by the Bishop of Sandhurst to be the Supervising Priest (Canon 517 §2) in Rushworth, which includes four Mass Centers.”
According to the post of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, the reaction of Msgr. Ramirez to the unexpected news is, “My first thought was to visit the Blessed Sacrament in prayer, and to ask of the Lord – 'Why me?' I have since been reflecting deeply on St Matthew 'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners,' and humbly accept that my pathway and commitment is to serve the community with faith and trust in God’s plan.”
The same official Facebook page also shared that the Episcopal Ordination for the Bishops-elect is to take place in the morning of February 1, 2025, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
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