Territory mourns for Bishop Ted

DARWIN’S former Catholic Bishop has passed away.

Bishop Edmund John Patrick Collins, familiarly known as Bishop Ted. Picture: Peter Bennett

DARWIN’S former Catholic Bishop has passed away.

Bishop Edmund John Patrick Collins, familiarly known as Bishop Ted, died late Friday night at St Joseph’s Aged Care Home in Kensington, Sydney, at the age of 83.

He was Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Darwin for 21 years, from 1986 to 2007.

Bishop Ted was surrounded by family when he died.

Current Bishop of the Diocese of Darwin, Eugene Hurley, said Bishop Ted had been declining in health over recent months.

“He was a man of great kindness and pastoral gifts, much loved not only by members of his own faith, but by all who came in contact with him,” he said.

“A Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral, Darwin, and Bishop Ted’s body will be laid to rest in the crypt of the Cathedral.

“The precise date and time are still to be finalised and announced, although we currently anticipate that this will take place on Tuesday afternoon, August 19. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”