Bishop Mark Freeman has been ordained and installed in a crowded ceremony on Thursday, becoming the 9th Bishop of the regional Victorian Diocese.
Bishop Anthony Randazzo, Bishop of Broken Bay, was one of several bishops in attendance for the ceremony, along with more than 500 other people who were packed into St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat, which included clergy, parish representatives, ecumenical guests, civic representatives, and members of the wider community.
The ordination and installation was led by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, who previously served as the Bishop of Broken Bay. Archbishop Peter formally seated Bishop Mark in the cathedra, symbolising the beginning of episcopal leadership in the diocese.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me and grateful for the prayers and support of this community,” Bishop Mark said.
“Together, we are called to serve with faith, hope, and love, proclaiming compassion, courage and justice in the world”.
During his address, Bishop Mark spoke words of gratitude and appreciation. He acknowledged and greeted all the People of God in the Ballarat diocese, asking them to teach him how to be their bishop.
“Every time I have begun a new appointment, I have said to the community that you are the people whom God has given me to love," he said. "As I begin this new ministry among you, I say the same to the whole diocese, people and priests of Ballarat – You are the people whom God has given me to love. As I received this ring during today’s Mass, I made that commitment with all my heart.”
Bishop Mark had previously served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Hobart, where he was born and raised.
After completing secondary school, he entered Corpus Christi College in Clayton, Victoria, where he found joy, strong friendships and growing clarity about his vocation.
He cited the late Archbishop Guilford Young as a defining influence on his priestly life, guiding and encouraging him throughout his formation.
“He really encouraged people to use their gifts well,” Bishop Mark said. He would become the last priest ordained by Archbishop Young.
Bishop Mark replaced Bishop Paul Bird, who resigned from the office in 2024 upon turning 75, but remained in the position until his successor was appointed.
Addressing his predecessor, Bishop Mark said he was excited to follow in Bishop Paul's footsteps.
“It is an honour to succeed you as Bishop of Ballarat," Bishop Mark said. "It’s a vibrant local Church that I have been called to serve as bishop. It has been cared for and guided by a true servant leader. You have set the bar high, and I thank you.”
The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat is a diverse and geographically extensive Diocese of twenty-three parishes which covers the western third of Victoria, extending from the Murray River in the North to the Southern Ocean. To the west it is bounded by the Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Diocese of Port Pirie, to the north by the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes and to the east by the Diocese of Sandhurst and the Archdiocese of Melbourne.