Vincent Long, 49, fled Vietnam on a timber boat, arriving in Australia in 1980.
Has just become Australia's first Vietnamese-born bishop to be ordained.
The former refugee described his ordination as profoundly life-changing.
Melbourne's Archbishop Denis Hart performed the 80-minute service, which was witnessed by parishioners who travelled from around Australia and overseas to witness it.
Among them were members of the largely Vietnamese community for whom he served as Parish Priest for more than a decade.
Long paid tribute to the church and his adopted homeland.
"I, a former refugee, stand before you as a testament to the fair-go mentality that has shaped this great nation of ours," he told the congregation.
Bishop Vincent Long will become the auxillary Bishop of Melbourne.
Watch this story on YouTube:
