MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has appointed Filipino auxiliary bishop Rene Ramirez to head the Diocese of Sandhurst in Australia. Ramirez, a native of Gapan in Nueva Ecija, is the ninth bishop of the diocese of Sandhurst. Ramirez served as a seminary spiritual director and later led St. Hannibal Rogate Center in Parañaque City before his assignment abroad. In 2023, he began ministry in the Sandhurst diocese as parish priest of Shepparton South and Nagambie, and later as supervising priest in Rushworth. He was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Melbourne on Nov. 8, 2024, and was ordained as bishop on Feb. 1, 2025.

Source: Philippine Star April 12, 2026 16:10 UTC