On February 1, 2025, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, Bishop Rene Ramirez RCJ was consecrated as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Alongside Bishop-elect Fr. Thinh Nguyen, he took on this new role of service and leadership, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Australia. Before his episcopal ordination, he had been serving as Parish Priest of Shepparton South and Nagambie and supervising priest at Rushworth in the Diocese of Sandhurst. His dedication to pastoral care and community building had already left a strong impact, and now, as bishop, he embraces a broader responsibility in shepherding the faithful.
Bishop Ramirez’s journey began in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, where he was raised in a deeply religious family. Born to teenage parents, he grew up under the guidance of his paternal grandmother, who played a significant role in shaping his faith. Sundays were sacred in their household, not only because of Mass but also because they allowed the family to gather and strengthen their bond. As a child, he naturally gravitated toward the church, first serving as an altar boy and later playing the organ during Masses. His home was just a short walk from the parish, making the church a central part of his daily life, where he formed friendships and developed a deep sense of belonging.
His call to the priesthood was not immediate but began with curiosity. During his third year of high school, a seminarian visited them and invited students to spend a week at the seminary. The idea of free food and lodging in the city intrigued him, and he decided to go. What was meant to be a brief experience turned into something much more significant. He found himself drawn to the structured life of the seminary—prayers, Mass, lectures, communal meals, and sports. The initial decision to stay was not necessarily about a firm commitment to priesthood but rather a willingness to explore. Over time, the idea of waiting for a few more years became less daunting, and before he knew it, he had spent nearly a decade in formation, gradually strengthening his conviction that God was calling him to serve.
Bishop Ramirez was ordained a priest in 1998 for the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, a congregation devoted to fostering vocations and serving the poor. His first assignment was as Vocation Director for the Rogationists in the Philippines, where he guided young men in discerning their call to the priesthood. Pursuing further theological and pastoral knowledge, he moved to Rome in 2003, earning a Licentiate in Spirituality and a Diploma in Social Communications from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Upon returning to the Philippines in 2006, he took on key roles, including serving as Spiritual Director at Rogationist Seminary College and Superior of St. Hannibal Rogate Center in Parañaque.
His mission later brought him to Australia, where he became pastor of Holy Family Parish in Melbourne in 2015, serving the Catholic communities of West Footscray, Maidstone, and Braybrook. His pastoral approach was dynamic and rooted in deep faith, seeking to minister to his parishioners and build a strong, engaged community. In November 2023, his congregation entrusted him with establishing a new Rogationist presence in the Diocese of Sandhurst. He was appointed parish priest of St. Mel’s in Shepparton South and St. Malachy’s in Nagambie. By January 2024, he also took on the role of supervising priest in Rushworth, overseeing four Mass centers.
Bishop Ramirez’s leadership has always been informed by his diverse experiences in ministry and other areas of learning. As a high school student, he actively participated in science fairs, research projects, and public speaking, developing skills that would later serve him well in the priesthood. During his seminary years, he became the musical director out of necessity, stepping into the role when no one else volunteered. Alongside his passion for music, he also developed a keen interest in technology, self-studying computer networking, programming, and web design. These skills would later prove invaluable as he sought to modernize parish communications and outreach efforts.
His understanding of leadership is shaped by a continuous desire to grow. Recognizing the importance of management in pastoral work, he pursued a master’s degree in educational management while studying theology. This training enabled him to approach parish administration with spiritual and organizational insight. He has always been open to learning from mentors, embracing new ideas, and integrating them into his ministry to serve the community better. Some may see his dynamism as innate, but it results from his willingness to absorb knowledge and apply it for the greater good.
As a bishop, one of his main priorities is fostering stronger relationships among priests. He envisions a culture where priests can share openly, find support in one another, and develop friendships rooted in trust. He hopes to create spaces for honest conversations, whether through regular gatherings, retreats, or informal discussions. In doing so, he believes that the priesthood can become a shared vocation and a true fraternity, allowing priests to support one another through both challenges and joys. By strengthening these relationships, he hopes to build a foundation where all can grow spiritually and personally.
Bishop Ramirez also seeks to bridge the gap between the Church and the wider community. He has observed that many parishioners assume that the Vatican funds all church operations, not realizing that the local church relies on the faithful’s support. While in Shepparton, he witnessed firsthand how the community organized events outside
