Bishop GEORGE

Bp Kołodziej was born in Dobra, Poland, part of the Diocese of Tarnów, renowned as the most religious diocese in Poland. In 1987, at the age of 19, he entered the Society of the Divine Savior, known as the Salvatorians. He took perpetual vows in 1992. On 28 May 1994, he was ordained a priest for the Society of the Divine Savior, by Cardinal Franciszek Antoni Macharski at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Trzebinia.

Following his ordination, Kołodziej was sent to Western Australia by his order. He served in the parish of Greenmount initially, before being appointed chaplain of Chisholm Catholic College, Perth. He was elected vice-superior of the Salvatorian Region of Australia in 1999.

He moved to New South Wales in 2001, to serve in the Diocese of Broken Bay. He served as chaplain of St Leo’s Catholic College, Waitara while serving as assistant priest in Pymble and East Gosford. He was appointed parish priest of Pittwater in 2008 and served there for 10 years until he was elected superior of the Salvatorians in Australian in 2018.

On 6 January 2025, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Bunbury by Pope Francis. The diocese had been without a bishop for 18 months following the resignation of Bishop Gerard Holohan on 30 June 2023. His episcopal ordination took place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Bunbury on 19 March 2025.

Gaudete in Domino semper

A bishop's coat of arms is distinguished by a sign of his rank. That sign, placed over the shield, is a particular version of an ecclesiastical hat that was worn in processions, as late as 1870. The hat is low-crowned, flat, and widebrimmed. On a bishop's coat of arms, the hat is green and hanging from it are 12 green tassels, six on each side.
There's also a processional cross above the shield. The cross on a bishop's coat of arms has one bar; an archbishop's cross has two. The design of the shield itself differs from bishop to bishop.

Bishop George Kolodziej SDS’ crest projects the simple life of a religious. With this mind, the overall design is graphic, clean, modern and simple. The bishop’s simple stylised Galero with cords, and tiered stylised tassels flanking the shield. These ‘tassels’ were designed with a little ‘movement’ to be more inviting, in this new ministry and in the lives of all whom he has encountered in his thirty years of priestly ministry. The simple gold cross is placed vertically behind the shield. The gold used has a hint of red, depicting the red earth of Australia, especially in Western Australia.

The shield is composed of a design with a blue background bordered by the red gold. The prominant colour blue is a reminder of the bishop’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Blue also depicts the sky and the sea, where Bunbury seats close to. The Bunbury lighthouse is a striking landmark. It stands some 25 metres above the ground and its light is visible from 27 kilometres away. Just as the lighthouse guides the ships safely into the harbour, this diocese will continue to guide and radiate light and hope.

On the shield are the stars forming the Southern Cross which represents Australia, and is coincidently symbolic of the wounds of Christ. On the top left of the shield is an open Bible, the Word of God. We must share the joy of the Gospel and live the Word of God. In Polish, Kolodziej, is an occupational surname derived from the occupation of kotodziej (“wheelwright). The wheel thereby evoke Bishop George Kolodziej SDS’ family, birthplace, his ministry and his personal devotion. The motto chosen by Bishop Kolodziej SDS appears on a scroll below the shield. “Gaudete in Domino semper” -“Rejoice in the Lord always” which is taken from Philipians 4:4.

Bishop George

Reflections | Messages | Letters