The diversity and unity of the vast Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie was on show for a worldwide audience at the installation ceremony of Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS today.
Representatives from the four corners of the diocese – which is three times the size of Bishop Karol’s homeland of Poland – brought soil from their region and poured it into a glass vessel to symbolise the territory over which he will have pastoral leadership.
Prior to the entrance procession, a welcome video from Bishop Greg O’Kelly and the people of the Diocese was shown, also highlighting the diversity of the lands.
During the service, Bishop Karol spoke of the three components of building a “family of families” – common home, common table and common goal.
“My existence as bishop only has meaning if I am connected to the people,” he said.
“I entrust myself to your prayers.”
Held at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Port Pirie, the installation was concelebrated by past and present bishops from the Adelaide Province.
In a statement prior to the ceremony, Bishop Karol said God was working in “mysterious ways” in his life.
“Firstly, calling me unexpectedly to religious and priestly life; secondly, directing my heart to serve Him in Australia and now serving Him and His people in Port Pirie Diocese,” he said.
Bishop Greg O’Kelly, the retiring Bishop of Port Pirie, said the people and clergy of the diocese were “loyal and committed” and “all look forward to receiving Bishop Karol as our new Chief Pastor”.
Bishop Karol arrived in Port Pirie from Poland earlier this month (after serving quarantine requirements), but previously spent 21 years as a missionary priest in Western Australia. He returned to Poland in 2018 after being elected vice-provincial of the Polish province of the Society of the Divine Savior.
Born in Poland in 1966, Bishop Karol was ordained to the priesthood in Trzebinia in 1994.
The Port Pirie Diocese is one of the largest in Australia stretching from Uluru to Port Lincoln and from the WA border to the River Murray.