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Ninth Bishop of Sandhurst

BLASON

Dexter side (Coat of arms of the Diocese of Sandhurst):

Quarterly, per saltire Or and Azure on the former in fess two roses Gules, in chief an estoile (or eight-pointed star) and in base a representation of the Paderborn Cross Argent.

Sinister side (Personal coat of arms of Bishop René Ramirez):

Azure, a pall Gules fimbriated Or charged with three stalks of wheat of the last, one on each branch; in Chief, the Sacred Heart of Jesus proper in splendour; in Dexter side, a staff in bend superimposed by a shepherdess’ hat, all Argent; in Sinister side, five mullets, one of eight points, two of seven, one of six and one of five points, also all Argent (representing the Constellation of the Southern Cross).

Behind the shield is a bishop’s cross, all are surmounted by a Roman galero with six tassels pendant at both sides in 1, 2 and 3 all Vert.

Motto: “Zelus et misericordia”, which translates to “Zeal and compassion”

SYMBOLISM

The impaled coat of arms visually proclaims that a bishop exercises his ministry in inseparable union with the Diocese he is appointed to serve. The dexter impalement is the coat of arms of the Diocese of Sandhurst, designed by Richard d’Apice and Fr. Guy Selvester, and originally illustrated by Sandy Turnbull.

The gold of the field represents the goldfields which is located within the diocese. The blue and the roses represent the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who, under the title Our Lady of Good Counsel, is Patroness of the Diocese.

The star and the two roses have their origin in an earlier design proposed for the arms of the diocese in 1979. This proposal does not appear to have been put into use, its existence is little known in the diocese and its original symbolism is not known at all.

The Paderborn Cross at the base is an ancient Christian symbol discovered in an eighth-century grave beneath the Cathedral at Paderborn, Germany, which was the home city of Dr Henry Backhaus, the pioneer priest of the Bendigo Goldfields.

This said cross was also depicted as the episcopal cross in the coat of arms of Bishop Rene Ramirez as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, to honor the Diocese of Sandhurst. The countryside and warm-hearted people of the Bendigo Goldfields captured the Bishop’s heart, and it was here that he had his “Damascus” experience—his episcopal appointment.

The sinister impalement is the coat of arms of Bishop Rene Ramirez, designed by Mons. John Brillantes and illustrated by Johnel Dimco upon his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne in 2024.

The field of the coat of arms is divided into three compartments by a pall, which is a Y-shaped heraldic ordinary.

At the top, or “chief,” there is a radiant Sacred Heart, a symbol that, along with the wheat ears placed at the pall, is also found in the logo of the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, to which the Bishop belongs as a professed member. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was promoted by St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia, the Founder of the Congregation and an inspirational figure for the Bishop.

On the dexter side (right side of the shield, left side from viewer’s point of view), there is a shepherdess staff and hat, representing the Blessed Virgin Mary in her title “La Divina Pastora,” who is the Patroness of the Bishop’s birthplace in Gapan City, Philippines. The Bishop has lived under the protection of Our Lady, and he believes that it was in his birthplace where the initial seed of his vocation was sown.

The sinister side of the shield (the right side, as viewed by the observer) features five stars arranged in formation of the Southern Cross constellation. This emblem not only represents Australia, but also pays tribute to the two Australian parishes of Braybrook and Maidstone, where the Bishop dedicated his effort working towards their amalgamation into the Holy Family Parish, as well as towards their renewal and growth as a more mission-oriented community of believers.

The tinctures (colors) used are Argent (silver/white), Or (gold), Azure (blue), and Gules (red)—the colors of the flags of the Philippines and Australia, both of which are significant in the Bishop’s life.

The green galero, with six tassels hanging on either side, along with the episcopal cross, signifies that the bearer of the coat of arms is a Bishop.

The motto “Zelus et Misericordia” captures the essence of Jesus’ mission and his call for compassionate service, reflecting sentiments from Matthew 9:35-38, during his encounter with the multitude: He was moved with compassion because they were “helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

There is a profound connection between zeal and mercy: true zeal for the Lord’s work arises from a heart that empathizes with the suffering of others and compels action. As Bishop Ramirez assumes a higher responsibility as Ordinary of the Diocese of Sandhurst, his motto serves as a dynamic reminder of the call to service, urging not only feelings of compassion but also an active response to those in distress.

Born on March 28, 1969, Bishop René Ramirez RCJ hails from Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He entered the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus in May 1985. He studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Adamson University in Manila. On June 26, 1998, he was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Rolando Tirona, OCD.

In his initial year of priesthood, Bishop Ramirez RCJ served as a Vocation Director. Then, from 1999 until early 2003, he became an Administrator, Treasurer, and Vice Rector at Rogationist College – Silang. While performing these tasks, he pursued a Master's in Educational Management at De La Salle University in Dasmariñas City.

In 2003, he went to Rome, took up Licentiate studies in Spirituality, and earned a Diploma in Social Communications from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Returning to the Philippines in 2006, he was tasked to direct the Social Communications Center and simultaneously journey with the seminarians as Spiritual Director at the Father Hannibal Formation Center, where he also taught.

From 2009 to 2015, he served as the Superior of St  Hannibal Rogate Centre, which included the Communications Office, the Provincial House, and the House for Rogationist Late Vocation Seminarians.

Bishop Ramirez RCJ has made notable contributions to the Congregation, from which we all benefit today. He played a key role in bringing the efforts of the Rogate Center in the Philippines to the digital realm, thus giving birth to the website ‘rcj.ph’. He was also behind the congregation's website, ‘rcj.org,’ and the corresponding email system. The Caffe Sant’Antonio, in its beginnings and the transfer of the Rogate Images to where it is now, was largely formed by his passion and zeal. In the field of music, we hear his composition sung almost every Tuesday, the Hymn to St. Anthony.

Bishop Ramirez RCJ was one of the pioneers, together with Fr. Gerald Binegas, of the Rogationist Mission in the Land Down Under. He became the pastor of Holy Family Parish in October 2015, overseeing the Catholic communities of West Footscray, Maidstone, and Braybrook within the Archdiocese of Melbourne. He played a crucial role in amalgamating the partnered parishes of Maidstone and Braybrook in 2018 and is actively involved in parish renewal through Ron Huntley Leadership Coaching.

The Rogationist presence expanded from Melbourne to the Diocese of Sandhurst in his official assignment as pastor of St. Mel’s Parish, Shepparton South and St Malachy’s Parish, Nagambie in November 2023. In January 2024, he was tasked by the Bishop of Sandhurst to be the Supervising Priest (Canon 517 §2) in Rushworth, which includes four Mass Centers.

On November 8, 2024, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Bishop Ramirez RCJ as one of the new Auxiliary Bishops of Melbourne and the Titular Bishop of Mauriana. He was consecrated to the Order of Bishops on 1 February 2025, at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.

On 11 April 2026, the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV appointed Most Reverend René Ramirez RCJ as the Ninth Bishop of Sandhurst.

Most Rev. Leslie Tomlinson
2011-2019