The Bishop-elect of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has been consecrated in Sydney prior to his installation as the new Bishop in the Central West of New South Wales two days later.

Assisted by a large contingent of visiting bishops, the bishop-elect was consecrated by the Metropolitan of New South Wales Archbishop Glenn Davies at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Thursday, 21 November.

Apart from bishops from his old Diocese of Brisbane, Central Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory, there were representatives from Bathurst Diocese as well as members of the Noosa church of which Bishop Calder had been rector.

A stirring charge for the new bishop came from the former Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, who spoke from Acts Chapter 20.

“God's church is precious. Hence the awful responsibility of those called upon to be her pastors, especially presbyters and bishops. They are to 'to care for the church of God, which he has obtained with his own blood'.”

Dr Jensen spoke of Paul’s example of ministry. “What sort of Bishop do you want? What does the Lord want? The Bible says, a preaching, pastoral, passionate, praying servant of God; humble yet courageous; a truthful soldier who guards the truth; caring for one and yet caring for all; always, by word and deed, pointing to Jesus. We are consecrating a Bishop. Mark has always been a preacher of the good news of the grace of God, but now he has new and heavy responsibilities. The Lord has prepared him for this moment.”

Canon Simon Manchester led prayers for the new Bishop and both Dr Davies and Dr Jensen assured him of continued prayer for his ministry.

“Mark, we will pray for you, and of course for dear Susan. We will pray for the churches. We will pray for those beyond, who do not as yet know the saving grace of God. And we will pray that you will indeed be a Bishop after God's own heart, for we know that this is your fervent desire, and ours as well.” Dr Jensen said.  

Bishop Calder will be installed to his new position at 11 am Saturday, 23 November at All Saints Cathedral, Bathurst.