Perth decision ‘adds a new level of difficulty’ to Anglican relationships: ACL President
The Anglican Church League’s President, Dr. Mark Thompson, has issued this statement in response to today’s announcement from the Diocese of Perth.
The ACL notes with sadness the decision of Archbishop Roger Herft and the Perth Diocesan Council to nominate Ms Kay Goldsworthy as a bishop within the Diocese of Perth.
While a deeply flawed Appellate Tribunal opinion in 2007 suggested there was no legal impediment to this move (and Archbishop Herft himself sat on that tribunal), it remains at odds with the Bible’s teaching on the appropriate relationship of men and women in and amongst the congregations of God’s people.
This action adds a new level of difficulty to the relationship between the various dioceses in the Anglican Church of Australia and raises a series of significant issues of conscience for those committed to living out the teaching of Scripture, rejoicing in that teaching as God’s good word to us. In a time of turmoil within the Anglican Communion we could have hoped for more restraint.
Mark D Thompson
President
Anglican Church League
11 April 2008.
Statement from Archbishop of Sydney on the protocols regarding women bishops in Australia
As reported previously, protocols regarding women bishops in Australia were discussed at this week’s Bishops’ Conference in Newcastle. The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr. Peter Jensen, has responded in these words –
“I’m pleased that there has been considerable goodwill during the formation of these protocols. Action was needed to protect the consciences of those who believe, as we do, that the consecration of women bishops is against biblical teaching. There are strongly-held convictions which separate us but we have endeavoured to find a way forward with courtesy and respect.”
First Australian Woman Bishop Announced
Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, has announced that his nomination of his Vicar-General, Archdeacon Kay Goldsworthy, to be an assistant bishop in his diocese was unanimously endorsed by his Diocesan Council last night.
A media statement from the Diocese of Perth may be read here.
Anglican leaders agree to protocol on women bishops
Australia’s Anglican leaders have taken another step towards women bishops, agreeing on a protocol to deal with the contentious issue.
The move, which came out of this week’s Anglican bishops’ conference in the NSW city of Newcastle, followed last year’s ruling by the church’s peak law body that there were no legal hurdles to women becoming bishops. …
It is expected parishes that disagree with oversight from a female bishop would be able to receive some form of alternative oversight from a male bishop, either in the same region or a neighbouring diocese.
– from The West Australian. (Photo of Archbishop Phillip Aspinall: Diocese of Brisbane.)
Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones audio online
Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones was one of the great preachers of the 20th century and was highly influential among British evangelicals. ‘The Doctor’ was born in Wales but laboured for almost thirty years at London’s Westminster Chapel where many came to hear him expound God’s Word.
Until recently, audio recordings of his sermons have not been easy to come by. Now, however, the D M Lloyd-Jones Recordings Trust has begun to sell copies on CD – and to produce a weekly programme. Each typically has a sermon over two weeks and is in Windows Media or Real Audio format.
Faith by Hearing points out that One Place has just begun to host these broadcasts. These are available as mp3 files as well as the other formats. So far, part one of a sermon on Galatians 1:3-5 is online.
See One Place for the free download. (Photo of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones via One Place.)