Bishop

About Our Bishop

Bishop Peter Joseph Connors was born in Mordialloc, Victoria, on 6 March 1937, eldest son of the late Walter and Isa Connors. Educated at Saint Mary’s School, Lancefield, and Assumption College, Kilmore, he studied for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College, Werribee and Glen Waverley, and was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Melbourne on 23 July 1961.

After more than seven years in parish ministry at Frankston, Kyneton and East St Kilda, he obtained a doctorate in canon law from the Urban University in Rome. On his return in 1972, he was appointed Secretary to the Marriage Tribunal of Victoria and Tasmania. In 1974 he was appointed Secretary to Archbishop Frank Little and in 1976 was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Melbourne on 21 May 1987, and resided in the western region of the Archdiocese until he was installed as Bishop of Ballarat on 23 July 1997.

Presently he is the Chairman of the Commission for Canon Law of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.  He is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Health Care.