[4] In 2002, Mabo was chosen as an Assistant Bishop in the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland following the death of his predecessor serving the Torres Strait Islands, Ted Mosby.
[5] Mabo was consecrated on 24 February 2002 in the All Souls and St Bartholomew's Cathedral Church on Thursday Island by Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall.
[8] As Bishop, Mabo spent time representing the Anglican Church of Australia on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Council.
[4] Mabo served as bishop until mid-2015 when he retired from the role,[4] following which he became the local parish priest at All Souls and St Bartholomew's Cathedral Church.
[2] Mabo died two days before his 70th birthday on 12 May 2017 after a short illness, his funeral service being held on 16 June 2017 at St Bartholomew's, the same place where he was consecrated as a Bishop in February 2002.