Richard Laurenson Explained

Honorific Prefix:The Most Reverend
Richard Laurenson
4th Bishop of Hamilton
Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Wellington
Diocese:Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, New Zealand
Appointed:25 October 2023
Predecessor:Stephen Lowe
Birth Name:Richard Philip James Laurenson
Birth Date:4 July 1969
Birth Place:Hamilton, New Zealand
Ordination:12 July 1995
Ordained By:Denis Browne
Consecration:8 December 2023
Consecrated By:Stephen Lowe

Richard Philip James Laurenson (born 4 July 1968) is a New Zealand priest of the Catholic Church who has served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton since 8 December 2023.[1] [2] Prior to his appointment as bishop, he served as a parish pastor and canon lawyer for the diocese.

Biography

Laurenson was born on 4 July 1968 in Hamilton, and attended Holy Cross Major Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hamilton on 12 July 1995. Following his ordination he served as vicar at St. Mary in Rotorua as well as a chaplain to peacekeeping forces in the Bougainville conflict. He earned his licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in 2010, and served as diocesan administrator following the resignation of Denis Browne. [3] He also was the only Catholic chaplain serving the New Zealand Reserve Force on the North Island.[4]

At the time of his appointment as bishop, Laurenson was serving as diocesan chancellor as well as pastor of All Saints By the Sea at Papamoa.[5]

He was consecrated bishop on December 8, 2023, in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary by bishop Stephen Lowe of Auckland.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rinunce e nomine . 2023-10-25 . press.vatican.va.
  2. Web site: Staff . NZ Catholic . 2023-12-22 . Joy as fourth Bishop of Hamilton ordained . 2024-04-09 . NZ Catholic Newspaper . en-US.
  3. Web site: OCEANIA/NEW ZEALAND - Appointment of bishop of Hamilton - Agenzia Fides . 2023-10-25 . www.fides.org.
  4. Web site: Otto . Michael . 2014-11-19 . Defence Force struggles to find Catholic chaplains . 2023-10-25 . NZ Catholic Newspaper . en-US.
  5. Web site: 8 October 2023 . Bulletin, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time . All Saints By The Sea.
  6. Web site: Staff . NZ Catholic . 2023-12-22 . Joy as fourth Bishop of Hamilton ordained . 2024-04-09 . NZ Catholic Newspaper . en-US.