The new Archbishop of Sydney will have the responsibility to maintain the character of the Diocese, especially through his power to make appointments. Since Moore College provides the people appointed, the Principal steers an institution that creates the Diocese.

Both positions require theological acuity and a determination to ensure that Sydney’s long and strong evangelical heritage continues on into the future…”

– The Editorial from the just-released issue 1905 of The Australian Church Record, June, 2012. Read the editorial here. Download the current issue here.

Share this:

“Clergy from across the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst and their counterparts from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst will gather in Bathurst on Thursday May 24 to witness the signing of a covenant between the two denominational groups. 

Anglican Bishop of Bathurst Richard Hurford and Catholic Bishop Michael McKenna will sign the covenant which will commit the two dioceses to:

• an annual ecumenical service;
• a bienniel joint clergy day;
• local services to enliven common witness to our baptism in Jesus Christ;
• exploring possibilities for sharing church plant and resources;
• cooperation in preparation for Christian marriage and Christian education; and
• openness to fellowship with other ecclesial communities.

The covenant has grown out of many years of unofficial cooperation, and has been brought to this more formal stage by the work of a small committee representing the two dioceses.

Bishop Richard Hurford said that the Covenant would give formal affirmation to the desire of the two denominations to work together more intentionally.

“We hope it will consolidate and progress the already positive relationship that has existed between our two great traditions in recent years,” he added.

Wellingon resident Jenny Bremner and Blayney Catholic priest Fr Tim Cahill have worked with Dean Anne Wentzel and Orange priest Canon Frank Hetherington over the last 12 months to develop the document.

When the clergy of the two dioceses gather in Bathurst on May 24, they will begin in St Michael and St John’s Catholic Cathedral at 11.45am for a 12 noon start. The gathering will then embark on a pilgrimage walk to All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral two blocks away for the formal signing of the agreement, and then return to the Catholic Cathedral for refreshments.

Both bishops have issued an open invitation for anyone able to attend, to take part in the three-stage liturgy which begins at the Catholic Cathedral and is scheduled to conclude by 1.15pm in the Anglican Cathedral.”

Source – Page 3, Anglican News – Reporting for the church in Western NSW – May 2012 (PDF file) from the Diocese of Bathurst website.

More from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.

Share this:

“Bishop Richard Hurford has formally announced his intention to retire on November 10, when he will lay up the Diocesan Pastoral Staff in a service of Pastoral Leave-Taking in All Saints’ Cathedral, Bathurst, commencing at 10.30am. 

Under the terms of the Bishop Election Ordinance (2006), it is mandatory for the Diocesan Bishop to retire on reaching 68 years of age.

Although Bishop Richard has made it clear for some time now that he intended to retire in November 2012, the Ordinance requires him to formally advise the Metropolitan of the Province of NSW six months before the planned retirement date.

Accordingly, Bishop Richard wrote to the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, on May 4 advising him of his retirement in November, and that under the provisions of the Bishop Election Ordinance the Diocese of Bathurst shall be deemed to be vacant, and the process for electing the next Bishop of Bathurst can commence forthwith…”

– More on page 3 of Anglican News, May 2012. (PDF)

Share this:

– Media statement from Reform.

Share this:

“the title of this May’s issue of Credo Magazine is ‘Chosen by Grace’.

Timothy George starts us off by taking us into the mind of the colossal reformer Martin Luther, exploring how he understood the doctrine of predestination, particularly in light of his famous debate on the bondage of the will with Erasmus.

Then, Paul Helm navigates new territory, investigating the contours of Calvin’s first controversy on predestination with Bolsec.

Next, I look at three Pauline passages that support the unconditional nature of election, demonstrating that God’s choice is not made on the basis of anything within the sinner, including faith.

Bruce Ware follows with a piercing article on the relationship between election and suffering, showing that suffering is a means ordained by God to spread the gospel for the salvation of his elect.

And finally, Fred Zaspel concludes by introducing us to B. B. Warfield’s understanding of predestination and providence, and the relationship between the two.”

The 75 page issue is  20MB PDF download from this page.

Share this:

See this page for the complete listing of resources from the GAFCON website.

The newly available papers are –

What is the Gospel? – from a seminar led by Drs Ngozi Okeke & Mark Thompson

Ecclesiology:

A Summary of Anglican Ecclesiology – Ashley Null
16th Century Anglican Ecclesiology – Ashley Null
The Anglican Mind in Caroline and Tractarian Thought – Arthur Middleton

Faithful and Effective – Evangelism and Church Planting.

Share this:

Rev. Hirschfeld is married to Polly Ingraham… and has two sons and a daughter.”

– New Hampshire elects a bishop coadjutor. (Photo credit: Reynolds Winslow.)

Share this:

Details here.

Share this:

Wonderful interview – watch it here (16 minutes).

Share this:

– Sandy Grant gives thanks for the BCP – at The Briefing.

Share this: