Pat O'Regan was born in Bathurst and raised in Perthville before beginning a celebrated career in the clergy.

After finishing school at St Stanislaus' College, Bishop O'Regan undertook seminary training at St Columba's College in Springwood and St Patrick's College in Manly and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bathurst in 1983.

He left Bathurst in 2015 to take up the role of Bishop of Sale in Victoria.

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In his new role he will succeed Philip Wilson, who resigned as Archbishop of Adelaide in July 2018.

Bishop O'Regan said it was fitting that the Pope announced his new role on Thursday.

"As someone who has a deep Josephite spirituality, it feels quite fitting - even providential - that Pope Francis has chosen today, St Joseph's feast day, to call me to this new mission," he said.

"I will certainly be asking St Joseph to intercede for me and for the church in Adelaide."

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge welcomed Bishop O'Regan's appointment, calling him a man with a "deep sense of pastoral care [and a] quirky sense of humour".