This week the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) acknowledged the contribution of Bishop Mark Edwards who completes his time as a NCEC commissioner after eight years.
Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne Anthony Ireland will take up a position on the Commission representing the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education.
NCEC deputy chair and director, Catholic Education South Australia Dr Neil McGoran thanked Bishop Mark for his leadership and wisdom, reflective insights and optimism during his time on the Commission.
“We have been fortunate to have had such an experienced educationalist on the Commission,” Neil said in acknowledging Bishop Mark at the Commission meeting dinner this week.
“Bishop Mark has bought a warmth, passion and attentiveness to our deliberations as a Commission and his contribution will be sorely missed, however we are grateful that he will continue on the NCEC Educational Excellence Standing Committee.
“We look forward to our ongoing work as part of our shared mission of Catholic education.”
Bishop Mark has been involved in Catholic education since 1986 teaching at Victoria’s Mazenod College from 1986 until 1989; then at Iona College in Brisbane from 1990 until 1997; and serving as Rector from 2010 and 2014.
He was appointed to the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education while Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne and has served as a Commissioner on the National Catholic Education Commission since 2015. He was appointed as the sixth Bishop of Wagga Wagga in July 2020.
Bishop Mark’s warm and inclusive manner is widely recognised and celebrated both as a pastoral leader and for his passionate commitment for the faith formation and personal development of young people.
“Bishop Mark has made it his responsibility to understand the context of our schools and the challenges families face,” Neil said.
“He has said himself that his experience as a teacher helps him to recognise ‘the strengths of the young people as a living example of the strengths of current culture’.
“He models what Pope Francis identified as a need for the Church to remain centred on the simple and beautiful act of accompaniment – a journey of presence and attentiveness with another on their pathway to discovering God.”
Photo: Farewell dinner for outgoing NCEC commissioner Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, NCEC deputy chair and Catholic Education South Australia director Dr Neil McGoran, CEO Catholic Schools NSW Dallas McInerney, NCEC executive director Jacinta Collins, Catholic Education Northern Territory director Paul Greaves, and NCEC commissioner Emeritus Professor Marea Nicholson OAM representing the Committee of Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person School Authorities Australia.