3rd July 2026
St Thomas Apostle
The Military Ordinariate of Australia rejoices in Pope Leo XIV's appointment of Monsignor
Stuart Hall as its new Bishop.
Bishop-Elect Hall (Born 1962) was ordained a Priest in Melbourne in September 1987.
From 1994-2017 he served in the Royal Australian Navy. Over 22 years his t-<laval Chaplaincy extended throughout Australia and abroad (Timor Leste and Middle East).
In 2005 he was appointed Maritime Command Senior Chaplain and soon after Navy
Systems Command Senior Chaplain. In 201 l he was appointed Principal Chaplain and
Director General of Chaplaincy (Navy).
Both before and after his service in the Royal Australian Navy he has had extensive pastoral experience in various parishes of the Melbourne Archdiocese. At present, he is Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne.
Bishop-Elect Hall will bring to the Military Ordinariate of Australia rare gifts of Military
Chaplaincy expertise and extensive pastoral experience.
We assure Bishop-Elect Hall of our fullest support and blessings as he soon commences his
important Episcopal Apostolate of peace-making in a world characterised by
peacelessness.
May I take this opportunity of thanking Monsignor Peter O'Keefe and Very Reverand Fr
Richard Thompson for offering their wonderful service to me over these years as Delegates of the Apostolic Administrator.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Archbishop Christopher Prowse
Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn