The Most Rev Nelson Po, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, was born in the small village of Cantuhaon, Palompon, Leyte, in the Philippines on 5 June 1968, the third of six children lovingly welcomed by his devoted parents, Lope Po and Norma Abordo.

Bishop Nelson had a happy childhood as part of a farming family who lived a frugal and simple country lifestyle. With no electricity in the village (at that time) the family thrived on fresh produce. Harvest season was something everyone in the family and the neighbourhood looked forward to – a real community event - which Bishop Nelson always treasured. 
Educated at the Northern Leyte Academy in his hometown of Palompon, Leyte, Bishop Nelson finished high school in 1985.  After completing his secondary education, Bishop Nelson commenced tertiary studies in Industrial and Management Engineering, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree. He started work in a copper processing company in his native Leyte province. 
Bishop Nelson’s faith was fostered and nurtured by his grandmother who provided religious instruction and served as his catechist from an early age. She took him to Church, taught him prayers and the lives of the saints, particularly St Joseph, and fostered his devotion to Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help. He grew up as an active member of his parish community, becoming a leader within both the parish youth group and choir. 

Bishop Nelson initially discerned his vocation when leading a group of young pilgrims to World Youth Day, Manila, Philippines, in 1995. This was the turning point of his calling. He was genuinely captivated by the presence of Pope John Paul II who was Pope at that time.

Answering God’s call to service as a priest, Bishop Nelson entered the Blessed Sacrament Congregation and undertook theology studies at the Maryhill School of Theology in Manila, Philippines, where he also completed a Master’s Degree in Theology, majoring in Pastoral Ministry. 

At the invitation of the then Archbishop of Perth, Barry James Hickey, Bishop Nelson arrived in Perth in 2003 as a seminarian. He resided at St Charles Seminary, Guildford, for two years whilst taking additional theology units at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, to complete the academic requirements for ordination. 

The first two months at St Charles Seminary were a period of significant adjustment for him in so many ways - weather, food and lifestyle. It didn't take long for him to feel at home in his new “home away from home”.

Bishop Nelson was ordained a priest in 2005 by the then Archbishop of Perth, Barry James Hickey, at St Mary's Cathedral Perth, Western Australia.  

Bishop Nelson has willingly served in various parts of the Archdiocese of Perth. He served as Assistant Parish Priest in Kalgoorlie followed by a short stint as Chaplain to the Royal Perth Hospital for two years.

He was appointed Parish Priest of the Cloverdale Parish in 2010 and subsequently served as the Parish Priest of the Applecross Parish prior his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop.

Since 2016, Bishop Nelson has also served as a Spiritual Director at St Charles Seminary, assisting seminarians in their spiritual needs. He has been a member of various diocesan committees and agencies including Catholic Outreach, the Priests Remuneration Committee and currently serves as the Archbishop’s Representative to the Centre for Faith Enrichment.

Bishop Nelson served as a member of the Archdiocesan Reference Group which planned and coordinated the archdiocese in its preparation for the Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Australia in 2018 and  went on to serve as a member of the Reference Group organising the Perth Diocesan Assembly in 2023/2024 with its focus on the establishment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.  

In October 2025, Bishop Nelson represented the priests of the archdiocese at the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies held in Rome, Italy.

On 2 February 2026, the Feast of the Presentation of Lord, Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment of Bishop Nelson Po as the Titular Bishop of Agunto and Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Western Australia. 

The Most Rev Bishop Nelson Po, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, was ordained as the tenth Bishop of Perth, on 16 April 2026 in a ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, Western Australia.