Appointed by Pope Francis, Fr Mackinlay is currently Master of Catholic Theological College Melbourne and a parish priest in Ballarat.
Born in Melbourne in 1965, Fr Mackinlay’s family moved to Ballarat 10 years later where he attended St Francis Xavier Primary School and St Patrick’s College.
In addition to his study for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College and at Catholic Theological College, he completed a physics degree at Monash University.
He was ordained a priest of Ballarat Diocese in 1991 and after parish ministry undertook graduate studies in philosophy.
Fr Mackinlay taught philosophy at the Australian Catholic University campus in Ballarat before moving to Catholic Theological College, where he has been Master since 2011.
While his role at Catholic Theological College was a demanding one, he said he was keen to continue that work alongside his teaching and administrative duties.
‘‘I love teaching and also being involved with people in their local parish communities and I very much look forward to continuing those two ministries in a different way in my new role,’’ Fr Mackinlay said.
‘‘I’ve greatly enjoyed being a priest in the Ballarat diocese and I’m very pleased that I can continue my ministry among the people of regional Victoria.’’
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge taught Fr Mackinlay and said the qualities he observed then have developed in the years since.
‘‘All of this will make him a fine Bishop of Sandhurst and a real gain for the Bishops Conference at this important and complex time.’’
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