Bishop Michael John Malone was born on 23 October, 1939 in Sydney, NSW, to John and Marie Malone (both deceased). The fifth of seven children, Bishop Michael grew up in Willoughby, was educated at St Thomas' Primary School, Willoughby and then St Pius X College, Chatswood.

Bishop Michael's seminary studies were at St Columba's College Springwood and St Patrick's College Manly. He was ordained a priest of the Sydney Archdiocese by Cardinal Norman Gilroy (Archbishop of Sydney) on 18 July, 1964 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

Bishop Michael, as he likes to be known, was ordained Coadjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland by the Most Reverend Leo Clarke, Bishop of Maitland, on 15 February, 1995 in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.

In June 1995, the diocese moved its base from Maitland to Newcastle and officially became the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. On 3 November, 1995, Bishop Leo Clarke announced his retirement, and as Coadjutor Bishop, Michael Malone automatically became Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle.

Bishop Michael is the seventh bishop of the diocese, which comprises some 150,000 Catholics. A large urban, coastal and rural area, the diocese extends from Lake Macquarie to Taree and as far inland as Merriwa and Murrurundi.

Bishop Michael has served as a priest in a number of parishes in the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Parramatta and Broken Bay Dioceses. After parish work in Annandale, Seven Hills and Cabramatta, he was appointed Catholic Chaplain to Concord Repatriation Hospital. From there Bishop Michael went on to other parishes and hospitals at Darlinghurst and Camperdown. He describes his hospital chaplaincy experiences as being most beneficial for him in his personal and ministerial formation.

Parish appointments to Blacktown and Pagewood followed. His last parish appointment before becoming a bishop was at St Patrick's Parish Gosford where he was resident for seven years.

Bishop Michael is Chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference Commission for Church Ministry. He represents the NSW/ACT Bishops on the NSW Ecumenical Council and acts as a liaison between the NSW Bishops and Catholic Healthcare Services (NSW/ACT) and Southern Cross Homes. Bishop Michael is Chairperson of the Churches Media Association of the Hunter.

Bishop Michael is passionate about the Church being involved in the world. He believes it must be relevant, inclusive, compassionate and just in its approach to people and the issues they face.

He is strongly committed to working collaboratively with the priests, lay people and religious women and men of his diocese. He places great importance on the Church as leaven in the world - in dialogue with its community - so that all groups can better promote and build the reign of justice, peace, love and reconciliation.

This is evidenced through his participation in the 1998 launch of The Two Bishops Trust. This historic and exciting venture between the Catholic and Anglican Churches, their respective welfare agencies and other community organisations, aims to establish a creative solution to the increasing problem of unemployment in the Hunter region.

Bishop Michael exhibits a mix of 'old' and 'new' Church characteristics. While possessing a rather progressive ecclesiology, he is faithful to the traditions of the Catholic Church. Bishop Michael acknowledges Popes John XXIII and Paul VI as two significant ecclesiastical mentors.

Bishop Michael's episcopacy is characterised by his pastoral, 'down-to-earth' qualities. He possesses strength of character and conviction, but also an openness, freedom and certain spontaneity.

Bishop Michael believes that if the structures of the Church and attitudes of its personnel impede closer relationships with God, then changes need to be drastic. Where appropriate, Bishop Michael would like to collaborate with the people of his diocese in the experimentation and implementation of new models of parish and ministry.

The scriptural image of 'shepherd' is very important to him as bishop and leader. He believes that the bishop's role is to be a responsible leader, one who is genuinely willing to serve the needs of the people in the community.

"I am very conscious of the privileged position that we bishops hold; of the liberating message of the Gospel that we are compelled to offer; of the pastoral sensitivity that we must possess in our role as teachers and preachers; and of our most necessary function as symbols of unity", Bishop Michael said.

"As the pastoral leader of some 150,000 Catholics, I interact at a personal and public level with many people from a variety of backgrounds, who live in wide-ranging circumstances. Through my daily interactions with these people, I am constantly reminded of the desperate need for the liberating message of Jesus Christ in our world.

"But as I meet people, my hope is restored by the commitment and faith of ordinary people who work and live in extraordinary ways, and I feel blessed as I hear their stories and am invited to celebrate with them during significant points in their journey."

In his recreation time, Bishop Michael enjoys an occasional round of golf, gardening, fishing and walking. He is a keen reader, enjoys listening to classical music and spending quality time with family and friends.

Bishop Michael Malone ’s Coat of Arms

Bishop Michael Malone’s motto lux et veritas (light and truth) is taken from Psalm 43:3 "Send out your light and your truth, let these be my guide."

The right side of the shield (lion rampant) is the Malone Family Crest.

The top left of the shield (two sheaves of wheat above the curved line representing the Hunter River) is from the Coat of Arms of the City of Maitland.

The bottom left of the shield is from the Coat of Arms of the City of Newcastle (Nobby’s Head).

Thus the Coat of Arms of Bishop Michael Malone situates him in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Previous Bishops of the Diocese
Previous bishops of the Diocese of Maitland include:
• Charles Henry Davis OSB (1848 – 1854) DECEASED
• James Murray (1865 – 1909) DECEASED
• Patrick Vincent Dwyer (1909 – 1931) DECEASED
• Edmund Gleeson CSsR (1931 – 1956) DECEASED
• John Toohey (1956 – 1975) DECEASED
• Leo Morris Clarke (1976 – 1995) DECEASED 3rd JUNE 2006

How to Contact the Bishop
You can contact Bishop Michael Malone at:
PO Box 780 Newcastle 2300 NSW
Ph: (02) 4979 1111 or Fax: (02) 4979 1119 or email