RECTOR of Brisbane’s Iona College Oblate Father Mark Edwards has been appointed an auxiliary bishop for Melbourne archdiocese.
Pope Francis announced the appointment at noon today Rome time (9pm Queensland time).
The Pope also announced the appointment of Monsignor Terence Curtin as another auxiliary bishop for Melbourne.
The appointments fill positions that had been vacant in Melbourne archdiocese.
Bishop-elect Edwards, 55, has been rector of Iona College since 2010.
Ordained in Melbourne for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1986, he taught maths and religion at two Oblate colleges – Iona in Brisbane and Mazenod in Mulgrave, Melbourne – between 1986 and 1997.
From 1998 to 2004, he was aspirants’ master for the Oblates at St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave, then novice master for the next three years before being director of scholastics for the three years preceding his appointment as Iona rector.
From 2005 to 2010, Bishop-elect Edwards was also a lecturer at Catholic Theological College in Melbourne.
He has bachelor degrees in Science, Theology and Letters and a doctorate in Philosophy.
At the time of Fr Edwards’ 25th anniversary as a priest in 2011 a news report on Melbourne archdiocese’s website quoted the Oblates’ then Australian provincial Fr Harry Dyer saying: “Fr Mark has a real enthusiasm and dedication for all that comes his way and this spirit is infectious for people who have come to know and love him.
“Certainly his teaching experience, academic prowess and detailed attention to pastoral care held him in good stead as he left family and friends to take up the position of rector at Iona College in Brisbane … and live out another Oblate charism of ‘leaving nothing undared for the Kingdom of God’.”
Bishop-elect Curtin, 69, was ordained a priest in 1971 and was made a monsignor in 2012.
He has been episcopal vicar for Melbourne archdiocese Eastern Region since 2012, and parish priest of Greythorn since 2008.
He is a former master of Catholic Theological College, Melbourne, and former president of the Melbourne College of Divinity (now MCD University of Divinity).
