Archbishop Christopher Prowse DD. STD.

Early Years

Beginning his schooling at Saint Francis Xavier Primary School and serving as an altar boy in his local parish, the young Christopher later attended Saint Leo’s College, where he would serve as College Captain in 1971.

Seminary

Archbishop Christopher attended Corpus Christi College, Werribee in 1972 and Clayton between 1973 and 1980. On 16 August 1980, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, in St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Archbishop Christopher graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, from Monash University in 1978 and a Bachelor of Theology from Melbourne College of Divinity (MCD) in 1979, He obtained a Licentiate in Moral Theology (Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, 1987) and has a Doctorate in Moral Theology (Pontifical Lateran University – Alfonsianum Academy, Rome 1995).

From 1979 to 2000

After serving as a Deacon at St John’s, Mitcham, in 1979, Archbishop Christopher was appointed Assistant Priest of St Mary of the Angels, Geelong (from 1981-83) and of St Monica’s, Moonee Ponds (1984-85). He also served as Vocations’ Director through1984-85.

A Lecturer in Moral Theology at the Catholic Theological College, in 1988 Archbishop Christopher lived as priest in residence at St Mary’s, Thornbury. In 1996, the Archbishop was appointed Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Parish in East Thornbury. Other appointments included Director of the Catholic Pastoral Formation Centre from 1997-2001, and Media Spokesman of the Archdiocese of Melbourne from 1999.

2001 and Beyond

In August 2001 Archbishop Christopher was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. He became a Member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese.

On 6 October 2001 he was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness and received the title of Monsignor.

On 4 April 2003, Pope Saint John Paul II named him Titular Bishop of Bahanna and Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne. Archbishop Christopher was consecrated in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on 19 May 2003, with pastoral care of the Southern Region of Melbourne.

From 2007 to 2009 he had pastoral responsibility for the Western Region of Melbourne and Geelong. In 2007 he became the Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Services, and in 2008, for Health. Archbishop Christopher was appointed to key committees organising ‘Days in the Diocese’, Melbourne and World Youth Day, Sydney.

In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Christopher a Member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. And on the 18th of June 2009 named him Bishop of Sale.

On 12 September 2013, Pope Francis appointed Christopher Prowse, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn.

On 27 February 2014, Archbishop Christopher was made a Consultor to the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jewish people.

Within the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Prowse is Chairman of the Bishop Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry as well as Chairman of the Bishop Commission for Migrants and Refugees.