Brisbane is set for a new chapter in Catholic leadership, with Bishop Shane Mackinlay chosen by Pope Leo XIV as the next Archbishop of Brisbane.
A Leader with Local Ties and Global Experience
The Vatican announced on June 18 that Bishop Shane Mackinlay will replace retiring Archbishop Mark Coleridge after 13 years leading Brisbane’s Catholic community. Mackinlay, who has served as Bishop of Sandhurst since 2019, will be formally installed at St Stephen’s Cathedral on September 11.
Born in Melbourne and raised in Ballarat, he graduated dux of St Patrick’s College in 1982 and became a priest in 1991. He served in several Victorian parishes and later taught at Catholic Theological College and Australian Catholic University.
Mackinlay also earned a doctorate in philosophy from Leuven in Belgium and was later named Associate Professor at the University of Divinity.
What This Means for Brisbane’s Catholic Community
The Archdiocese of Brisbane, home to more than 660,000 Catholics across 103 parishes, will look to Bishop Mackinlay for its next chapter. He steps in after years of Church renewal, including his leadership roles in the Australian Plenary Council and the Synod on Synodality.
These efforts aimed to make Church life more inclusive and connected to everyday communities. Mackinlay’s approach has centred on listening and practical engagement. His move to Brisbane is expected to carry that same focus forward.
Smooth Handover with Praise from Retiring Archbishop
Outgoing Archbishop Mark Coleridge has welcomed Shane Mackinlay’s appointment, calling him a clear thinker with strong leadership and a balance of vision and local focus. Coleridge, who led the Archdiocese for more than a decade, said Mackinlay is well prepared for the role.
Mackinlay said he is honoured by the appointment and thankful for his time in the Sandhurst Diocese. He noted the difficulty of leaving a close-knit regional community. Still, he expressed enthusiasm for working with the people of Brisbane and continuing the progress already underway.
Farewell and Welcome Services Planned
A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held in Bendigo on September 7, marking Mackinlay’s final formal act as Bishop of Sandhurst. Just days later, he’ll be installed in his new role at a public Mass in Brisbane.
Catholics across both dioceses are preparing for the transition, which Church officials say is a time for reflection and opportunity. Mackinlay is expected to continue his hands-on pastoral approach while supporting the ongoing spiritual, educational and social services work across Brisbane.
Published 02-July-2025