About The Right Revd Dr Mark Burton
The Right Revd Dr Mark Burton is currently an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Perth.
Dr Burton’s qualifications include Bachelor of Theology (1st Class Honours) and Doctor of Theology, both from the Australian College of Theology. He is also a former Archbishop’s Chaplain and Director of Theological Education in the Diocese of Melbourne.
He says he is delighted to be the new Dean and is greatly looking forward to being a part of the Cathedral’s ministry to the City of Melbourne. “The Cathedral’s ministry amongst the poor, the homeless and the addicted is a vital area of interest for me, and I would like to explore how this ministry of compassion and justice can be further expanded.”
He also has a strong interest in civic services and liturgies and how the Cathedral “has an important, prophetic ministry in times of disaster and stress… I believe my experience as a Naval Chaplain has equipped me to make some thoughtful contributions in this area.”
During his five years’ experience as a Naval Chaplain he presided over many ANZAC, Remembrance Day and Memorial Services, including a service for those killed in HMAS Kanimbla’s helicopter in Nias, Indonesia. He is also currently an officer in the Navy Reserve (Active List), and undertakes chaplaincy duties on HMAS Stirling.
He is keen for the Cathedral to be a place which reaches out to all the people of Melbourne – across all generations and cultures – and is a place of excellence for the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. As both Dean and Bishop he sees himself as someone who is able to embrace the diversity of the Anglican Church in Melbourne, and whose “door, and heart, must be open to everyone.”
