About 4500 faithful arrived to take part in the ordination of Wollongong’s new bishop. It was first held in the diocese in 22 years, as Peter Ingham – who came to Wollongong already a bishop in 2001 – handed the role to Bishop Brian Mascord.

As the ceremony began, more than 100 men in various regalia  priests, deacons and almost every bishop in Australia, waited in the wings to begin a Catholic ritual on the grandest scale.

Among those present was the the papal nuncio in Australia, His Excellency Most Reverend Adolfo Tito Yllana and up to 30 Australian bishops, 100 clergy, parishioners and families from all the diocesan parishes and schools, staff and families from all diocesan agencies and affiliated organisations, leaders of other churches and faiths, civic leaders of government and business.

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Incense filled the air and thousands joined the choir and orchestra to sing as the procession marched in.

Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher presided, asking the new bishop to “discharge until death” the office being passed to him.

Bishop Mascord was then anointed and handed his insignia before being handed “possession of the cathedra”, allowing him to take over and conduct the the ceremony in front of his flock.

The Holy Father Pope Francis named Brian Mascord as the fifth Bishop of Wollongong on November 30.

He has recently been serving as a vicar-general of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and replaces Bishop Peter Ingham who submitted his resignation on his 75th birthday almost two years ago. 

Bishop Ingham has served as a bishop for 25 years including the last 16 in Wollongong.