Church after COVID By Robyn Douglass Correspondent The Anglican Church of Australia announced Feb. 26 that it has postponed its General Synod until sometime in 2022, another loss to the COVID-19 pandemic. The national meeting, which had been scheduled for 2020, was planned for May. But the standing committee, in light of “continuing uncertainty around travel and … [Read more...] about An Australian Postcard from the Future
Anglican Church of Australia
Australian Disability Activists Discuss ‘Ableism’
More than Building Design By Robyn Douglass Correspondent Colorful notes are being stuck up as fast as ideas can be written down. It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon in South Australia, and in one Anglican parish, people are participating in a workshop on “Ableism.” They are writing down ideas that would make the church more accessible and welcoming for people with a … [Read more...] about Australian Disability Activists Discuss ‘Ableism’
Australian Diocese Strapped for Cash and Clergy
By Mark Michael The Rt. Rev. Mark Calder, Bishop of Bathurst in rural New South Wales, desperately needs priests, but is short of funds to pay for them. 17 of the Australian diocese’s 27 multi-church parishes are currently vacant, and the diocese still owes about $2 million Australian dollars (USD $1.55 million) to the victims of sexual abuse, the Australian Broadcasting … [Read more...] about Australian Diocese Strapped for Cash and Clergy
Tribunal Authorizes Same-Sex Blessings in Australia
By Mark Michael The Appellate Tribunal, the highest legal authority in the Anglican Church of Australia, has ruled that same-sex couples may have their civil marriages blessed and that a diocese may remove the possibility of disciplinary action against members of the clergy who enter into a same-sex marriage. The 5-1 ruling, issued on November 12, was framed in narrow, … [Read more...] about Tribunal Authorizes Same-Sex Blessings in Australia
Geoffrey Smith Elected Australian Primate in Second Round Vote
By Mark Michael The Most Rev. Geoffrey Smith, Archbishop of Adelaide, was elected primate of the Anglican Church in Australia through an electronic balloting process on April 6. Anne Hywood, General Secretary of General Synod confirmed the election in a letter to members of the church’s governing body the following day. Smith has been elected to a six-year term, and will … [Read more...] about Geoffrey Smith Elected Australian Primate in Second Round Vote
Deadlocked Australian Electors Name Aspinall Interim Primate
By Mark Michael The Anglican Church of Australia’s Primatial Board of Electors failed to reach a majority after seven ballots in its March 14 meeting in Sydney, and have asked former primate Philip Aspinall to serve as an interim until another election can be held. Archbishop Geoffrey Smith of Adelaide, a moderate who was widely regarded as the favorite to succeed outgoing … [Read more...] about Deadlocked Australian Electors Name Aspinall Interim Primate
Australian Primate Steps Down Before Same-Sex Marriage Showdown
By Mark Michael In what his diocesan newspaper described as a “shock announcement,” Archbishop Philip Freier said on November 25 that he will resign in March as primate of the Anglican Church of Australia. Freier, 65, will have served as primate for just short of six years, and will continue as Archbishop of Melbourne. Freier gave no reason for his decision. The announcement … [Read more...] about Australian Primate Steps Down Before Same-Sex Marriage Showdown
Australian Diocese Agrees to Delay Same-Sex Marriages
By Mark Michael Bishop John Parkes of Australia’s Diocese of Wangaratta announced on Tuesday that he will suspend the authorization of same sex marriages, pending a ruling on the matter by the Anglican Church of Australia’s Appellate Tribunal. Legislation permitting the marriages had been approved by wide margins at Wangaratta’s Diocesan Synod two weeks ago. The Most Rev. … [Read more...] about Australian Diocese Agrees to Delay Same-Sex Marriages