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“Lindsay Tanner’s book “Sideshow” argues how the media has undermined the capacity for proper policy debate in our society. The media’s recent presentation of our Archbishop’s statement on the redefinition of marriage is a classic illustration of the point.

The homosexual community has called society into a debate about the nature of marriage. Through the influence of the Greens, the members of parliament are to inquire of the electorate about changing the law to allow same sex marriage. The Labor party is going to debate its policy on this issue at its national conference.

It would seem right and proper therefore, for any person to present a view on this matter, especially leaders of community groups who have a particular interest or concern to express their views.

As one such community within society, Christians have every right to hold a particular interest in the nature of marriage. We have had a long-term interest in marriage – our ministers are registered by the Government as authorised celebrants and about a third of the community turn to the church for their weddings.  Furthermore, rightly or wrongly, we believe that our view is for the good of society as a whole. …’

– Phillip Jensen, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, writes at PhillipJensen.com. (Also at SydneyAnglicans.net.) Related: Real Marriage, by Archbishop Peter Jensen.

Lessons to be learned from the Canadian Church experience

In June 2008, Dr J I Packer spoke at Holy Trinity, Eastbourne on “Lessons to be learned from the Canadian church experience” – and stated that the issues which prompted GAFCON are the most serious since the Reformation.

His talk is a very helpful reminder of why St. John’s Shaughnessy, and three other churches in Vancouver, have taken the costly stand they have.

Hear his talk (55 min / 9.5MB) and the question time (32 min / 5.6MB) on the Holy Trinity website.

As well as being a member of the team at St. John’s Shaughnessy, Dr Packer is an Honorary Canon of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney. (Photo: Ed Hird.)

Army Chaplain on Open House

Tim Booker, Army Chaplain and Rector of the parish of Guildford, was interviewed by Leigh Hatcher on Open House last weekend. Good to hear, to inform your prayers for the chaplains.

(h/t Defence Anglicans.)

Supreme Court of Canada dismisses appeal, congregations to be evicted

David Short, Rector of St. John’s Shaughnessy:

“the way we respond is a God-given opportunity to bear witness to Christ. As those who are disciples of Jesus Christ, this is not just about ‘what’ we do but also ‘how’ we do it. In some ways nothing will change with the decision on Thursday. We are still God’s family, and he has placed us in Vancouver to spread his glory.”

News release from the Anglican Network in Canada:

“The trustees of four Vancouver-area Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) parishes are preparing to vacate their church buildings after the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed their case and awarded legal costs to the Anglican Church of Canada Diocese of New Westminster. The four churches are: St John’s (Shaughnessy), St Matthews (Abbotsford), Good Shepherd (Vancouver), and St Matthias & St Luke’s (Vancouver).  Read more

New BCA videos

The Bush Church Aid Society has released a short promotional video. It runs for 3 minutes and can be seen here.

There’s also an interview with Mike & Chantalle Keith, with BCA at Lightning Ridge. Food for thanksgiving and prayer.

New Garage Hymnal album coming

Garage Hymnal’s forthcoming album, Unity, recorded live at St Stephen’s Newtown last month, is now available for pre-order. Details on the Garage Hymnal website.

(This week, Bob Kauflin introduced his US readers to the song We Belong to the Day.)

Peter Brain at Latimer Fellowship NZ

Bishop of Armidale, Peter Brain, will be speaking at the Latimer Fellowship NZ’s Retreat in August 2011.

Details and info on other events in NZ here.

(Photo: Russell Powell.)

New bishop for Ballarat

Garry Weatherill, currently Bishop of Willochra in South Australia, has been appointed the 10th Anglican Bishop of Ballarat.

Report from Anglican Media Melbourne.

Bishop rejects claim of hardline attitude

“Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn Stuart Robinson has emphatically rejected his diocese is becoming a clone of the hardline, evangelical Diocese of Sydney. …”

– Story from The Canberra Times.

Tasmanian Synod ‘No’ to Euthanasia

The Synod of the Diocese of Tasmania  –

* affirms that all human life is made in the image of God and precious in his sight

* affirms that a just society will seek to protect the weak and vulnerable.

* affirms its opposition to voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide

* calls on the Premier and Prime Minister to oppose any initiative to legislate for voluntary euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide

* calls on State and Federal Governments to provide adequate funding for palliative care services across Tasmania

* calls on all Tasmanian Anglicans to raise these issues with their local members of Parliament

* requests the Bishop to make the substance of this resolution known to the relevant parties.

– from Bishop John Harrower. The Synod met in Launceston on 4 June 2011.

The Power of the Original: Beyond the King James Bible

“When Scripture is translated into any language, it has the power of incarnation. Often it proceeds to shape the language of its host culture. The danger is that we can then treat the Bible as though it were a product of our own history and culture and forget that its origin and world is distant. The KJV was English, but it was not quite my English. …”

– Archbishop Peter Jensen writes on the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible, on the ABC’s Religion & Ethics pages of its website.

Real Marriage — Dr Peter Jensen

Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, has spoken about the pressures to redefine marriage, and how Christians should respond.

“Should the Marriage Act allow two people of the same sex to be married?

Over the years, I’ve said little about same?sex relationships. My opposition is known but I hope I put my views with respect. I have supported legislation to register relationships and to extend economic rights. I condemn violence against homosexual people. Like most Australians, I prefer to live and let live. Furthermore, I am all too aware how close to home this is for a number of us, either personally or through family members and I appreciate that this discussion can be painful.

Nonetheless, since change is being actively advocated we need to be clear that what is at stake is not simply an extension of marriage ‘rights’ but a change to the definition of marriage itself. …”

First published in the June 2011 Southern Cross magazine, the article, “Real Marriage”, is available here as a PDF file, and deserves wide distribution.

Queen’s Birthday Convention IV

The Queen’s Birthday Convention is on at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Monday (June 13) – with Phillip Jensen and Greg Clarke speaking.

Watch the stirring video promo here.

Prayers for Defence Chaplains

Recent deaths and injuries among Australian military serving overseas are a reminder to pray for the defence chaplains and those to whom they minister.

Recent posts on the Defence Anglicans website include a poem reflecting the sadness of loss, by Army Chaplain Jim Cosgrove, and also a reflection on “Is it right for a Christian to serve in the military?” by Archdeacon Kevin Russell.

It’s official: Australia is unfair

“The debate about processing asylum seekers in Malaysia has distracted Australians from an even more concerning injustice brewing in our own backyard – the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the ‘character test’ in the Migration Act are politically expedient and fly in the face of measured, compassionate governance. …”

– Andrew Cameron, Chair of the Social Issues Executive of the Diocese of Sydney, has his say on The Drum today.

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