Melbourne: Pope Francis has named Bishop Shane Anthony Mackinlay, currently serving as Bishop of Sandhurst, as the next Archbishop of Brisbane. The appointment, confirmed on June 18, 2025, follows the retirement of Archbishop Mark Coleridge. Archbishop elect Mackinlay, aged 60, brings a compelling blend of pastoral experience, academic achievement and leadership to one of Australia’s most significant Catholic archdioceses.
Born in June 1965 in Brunswick, Melbourne, Bishop Mackinlay’s formative years included a move to Ballarat and an early academic distinction as dux of St Patrick’s College in 1982. In 1991, he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Ballarat after completing theology studies at Corpus Christi College and an undergraduate degree in physics at Monash University.
As a committed scholar, Bishop Mackinlay earned a masters and doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He built a strong academic and teaching career, serving as Master of Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 2011 onward, alongside lecturing roles at Australian Catholic University and the University of Divinity.
In July 2019, Pope Francis appointed him as the eighth Bishop of Sandhurst. During his tenure, he led the diocese through sensitive periods, including serving as spokesperson for the Church during the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into how child abuse was handled by religious institutions.
In addition to his diocesan responsibilities, Bishop Mackinlay has held significant national and international roles. He was elected vice president of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, played a key role as an episcopal delegate at the Synod on Synodality, and in October 2024 was chosen to co chair the Methodist Roman Catholic International Commission.
The new Archbishop of Brisbane is scheduled to be formally installed on September 11, 2025. He succeeds Archbishop Coleridge, under whose oversight Brisbane has navigated pastoral, social and liturgical challenges in recent years.
Upon the announcement, Archbishop Coleridge praised Bishop Mackinlay, describing him as a strategic thinker, a faithful pastor, and an effective cultural interlocutor. He expressed confidence that Brisbane would benefit from Mackinlay’s leadership during this period of change.
Bishop Mackinlay has expressed his enthusiasm for the new role. He has emphasised his desire to bring both scholarly insight and grounded pastoral care into his ministry, highlighting his deep commitment to engaging with local parish communities while fostering unity and growth across the archdiocese.
This appointment is a key moment for Brisbane and for the Catholic Church in Australia. As he prepares to take the helm, Archbishop elect Mackinlay’s academic credentials, pastoral sensitivity and leadership poise suggest a leader ready to guide the archdiocese through contemporary challenges and future renewal.