Prayers requested for the Bathurst Bishop’s Election Board

Posted on March 19, 2026 
Filed under Bathurst Diocese, for your prayers

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder – as foreshadowed late last year – will be retiring from that role in six months,

Today he submitted his letter of resignation, effective 19 September 2026, to the Metropolitan, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

He also wrote to members of the Diocese,

“This marks the beginning of an important time for the Diocese. Please pray for the Bishop’s Election Board as their work now begins in earnest.

Clergy: Andrew Thornhill (Chair), Tim St Quintin, Phil Howes, Andy Martin, James Boardman, Bob Cameron.

Lay people: Jane Francis, Mark Galbraith, Ray Haigh, Lisa Milton, Sandy White, Eliot Harper.

It has been a great joy and privilege to serve as your Bishop. I will continue in this role over the coming six months and would value your prayers that this may be a time of wise preparation for the next chapter in the life of the Diocese.

Thank you for your support and encouragement over these years.”

– As he requests, please continue to pray for Bishop Calder in these next six months, for continued strength and encouragement and wisdom – for the Bishop’s Election Board and all involved in one way or another in choosing the next Bishop of Bathurst.

Pray that the Lord will be glorified in all this, that the churches of the Bathurst Diocese will be strengthened, and that many in the region will come to know Christ in the days and years ahead.