Bishop Anthony Fisher has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Sydney in an announcement by Pope Francis, Thursday.
The current Bishop of Parramatta will replace Cardinal George Pell, who was transferred to the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy earlier this year.
The Archbishop-elect committed to regaining the trust and confidence of the church and wider community amidst the ongoing investigation of sexual abuse of children within Australian institutions.
"The Catholic church in Australia is going through a period of public scrutiny and self-examination," Bishop Fisher said.
"Victims of abuse and all young people must come first – no excuses, no cover-ups."
"The Church must do better in this area and I am committed to playing a leading role in regaining the confidence of the community and of our own members," he added.
President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, welcomed the announcement and congratulated the 54-year-old.
"I congratulate Bishop Fisher on his appointment to Sydney," he stated.
"He will use his many gifts with generosity and faithfulness to serve God and to lead his people in Sydney Archdiocese and beyond."
Bishop Fisher has a doctorate in bioethics and organised World Youth Day Sydney in 2008.