Pope appoints new Bishop for Wagga Wagga, Australia

By Vatican News

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Mark Stuart Edwards, O.M.I., as Bishop of Wagga Wagga, Australia.

He has been serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne with the titular see of Garba.

Curriculum vitae of Bishop Mark Stuart Edwards O.M.I.

Bishop elect Mark Stuart Edwards was born in Balikpapan, Indonesia in 1959. He moved to Australia in 1962.

After attending Saint Leonard's Primary School in Glen Waverley and Mazenod College in Mulgrave, he received his Bachelor of Science degree at Monash University in Melbourne.

In 1980 he entered the Novitiate of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate and completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne and the Melbourne College of Divinity.

He was ordained a priest in 1986.

After priestly ordination he continued his training at Monash University in Melbourne, obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy and a Baccalaureate in Literature and Education.

He held the following positions in the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate: Professor at Mazenod College in Mulgrave (1986-1989); Vice-Rector of Iona College in Brisbane (1990-1997); Master Pre-novice Master at Saint Mary's Seminary in Mulgrave (1998-2004); Novice Master at Saint Mary's Seminary in Mulgrave (2004-2007); Professor at Catholic Theological College in Melbourne (2005-2010); Rector of Iona College in Lindum, Brisbane (since 2010).

In 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2011 he was elected Provincial Councillor of the Australian Oblate Missionaries Province.

He was appointed by Pope Francis, Bishop of Garba and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne on 7 November 2014; he was consecrated the following 17 December.

He is a Member of the Committee for Catholic Education for the Australian Bishops Conference.

Diocese of Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is the major city of the Riverina and the largest inland city in New South Wales.

Its population is estimated at nearly 56,500, of which over 31 per cent are Catholic.