Wangaratta Synod prepares to push Anglican Church of Australia to the Brink
“As I write the synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta is in the final day of its current session.
Bishop Parkes has been very clear that he intends to support and endorse a motion before the synod to allow for blessings of those individuals who have entered into a same-sex marriage in Australia. …
Bishop Parkes’ Presidential Address provides a clear insight into his thinking on this topic.…
It seems certain that the synod will pass the motion and the crisis will be upon us. As we’ve reported previously, we should expect to see conservative bishops take out disciplinary measures against Parkes. The matter will also be referred to the Appellate Tribunal.”
– David Ould writes on the Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta, which concludes today.
Photo: Bishop David Parkes, who speaks (in his Presidential address) of the influence on his thinking of John Macquarrie and Friedrich Schleiermacher, among others.
“The Diocese of Wangaratta has passed their motion calling for the blessing of individuals who have taken part in a same-sex wedding. The voting, reported by prominent supporter of the motion Ven. John Davis (Archdeacon Emeritus of the Diocese), was that 67 for, 18 against and one abstention.”
“In the coming weeks, Bishop Parkes will bless two priests from Wangaratta, John Davis and Rob Whalley, who have been in a relationship for more than 20 years.” – ABC News, 1st September 2019.
What happened in Boga needs further analysis and appropriate action
“What happened in Boga needs further investigation, like getting a cure to a patient who requires serious diagnosis, laboratory tests and examination.
You have heard about what happened in Boga the morning of last Friday when the Islamist ADF rebel group invaded Boga. That invasion caused a lot of pain, suffering, fear and trauma. What is the source of all this? Many people are having no answers to the question.”
– Bishop William Mugenyi Bahemuka gives some important background to the attack on Boga a week ago. At the GAFCON website.
Protest against the abortion-to-birth bill — Saturday 7th September
The Australian Christian Lobby is encouraging a massive protest against the “abortion-to-birth bill” outside Liberal Party State Council meeting next week.
They write, “This is the first time the party has come together since the election. The Premier and numerous MPs will be in attendance. We need your support to show the tsunami of opposition against the radical abortion-to-birth bill!”
8.00am Saturday 7th September
Outside the Main Foyer
International Convention Centre,
14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000.
You could consider letting church members know about this on Sunday.
Draft Religious Discrimination Bill — Diocese of Sydney Public Statement
Here’s a Pubic Statement from the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, 30th August 2019:
Draft Religious Discrimination Bill released
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s draft Religious Discrimination Bill but cautions more work is needed on the detail of the Bill.
“We welcome the Attorney-General’s clear statement that greater protections are needed for people of faith, or of none, concerning freedom of speech, conscience and belief. Other attributes such as sex and race are protected, it is only logical that faith be among those.”
Although there has been a media concentration on the case of Israel Folau, Dr Davies said the issues are much wider.
“We want MPs of all parties to understand the framework of faith by which religious organisations operate in all areas of society from care ministries to health and education.”
“We are disappointed that there doesn’t yet seem to be a comprehensive approach which includes both the draft legislation just released and the work of the ALRC examining the patchwork of existing legislation. There needs to be deep consultation on both areas as soon as possible.”
Dr Davies said the Anglican Diocese of Sydney was committed to engaging in the consultation process which Mr Porter has set in place.
“I hope the Federal Opposition will support, in the spirit of bipartisanship, an outcome which strengthens social cohesion and freedom of speech, conscience and belief in Australia.”
– From the Diocese of Sydney.
New Commonwealth Religious Freedom Laws
“The Commonwealth Attorney-General has released Exposure Drafts of a package of Federal Bills designed to improve religious freedom protections under Australian law, along with associated explanatory information. The legislation responds to the recommendations of the Ruddock Panel into Religious Freedom, released late in 2018. Public comment has been invited by 2 October, 2019.
The main item is the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 (“RDB”), which broadly replicates the existing pattern of anti-discrimination laws enacted by the Commonwealth, but picking up for the first time at the Federal level the “protected characteristics” of “religious belief or activity”. Two ancillary Bills propose consequential amendments to other legislation, add some specific matters to be taken into account in objects clauses for other discrimination laws, and slightly amend or clarify the laws on charities and marriage.
The RDB is a lengthy document (68 clauses over 52 pages), with some complexities that will need to be unpacked. But I would like to offer a brief overview and an initial response, which will be followed up later by more detailed comments about particular issues. I can say, however, that it looks like being a worthwhile and helpful change which in general will further the cause of religious freedom (for both believers and non-believers) in Australia.…”
– Neil Foster, Associate Professor in Law, offers an initial opinion at Law and Religion Australia.
‘Belief…’
“When the subject of religion comes up we often hear comments like: ‘Religion is for the weak-minded’, or ‘it is poisonous’. We also hear, ‘All religions are the same’. And if the conversation continues, we might get told, ‘Religious people are so self-righteous!’ There are also those who tell us, ‘Everyone’s right in their own kind of way.’ ‘In any case, when I die, if there is a God, I’m sure he’ll accept me: I’ve led a good life’.
So, in this indifferent and sometimes hostile world, how do people come to faith in Christ? In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul provides some helpful clues. Let me identify them briefly. …”
– At The Anglican Connection, John Mason continues a series of short reflections on sharing the gospel. Others here.
Archaeologists in Peru unearth 227 bodies in biggest-ever discovery of child sacrifice
“Archaeologists in Peru say the 227 bodies they have unearthed from a site used by the pre-Columbian Chimu culture is the biggest-ever discovery of sacrificed children. …”
– Story from ABC News.
Costi Hinn shares his story of God, Greed and the Prosperity Gospel
“Collin Hansen interviews Benny Hinn’s nephew Costi about growing up believing the prosperity gospel and how he came to see it as incompatible with the Bible.
For Costi Hinn, the prosperity gospel is family business. He worked for his dad and also his famous uncle Benny…”
– A fascinating interview at The Gospel Coalition.
The seduction of worldly wisdom
“When it comes to living our lives as Christians, we need a wisdom that’s much bigger than what the world has on offer. Our society is happy and content with worldly wisdom, because worldly wisdom seems to work – at least for a while. …”
– Ainsley Poulos writes at The Australian Church Record.
Words with purpose (Ephesians 4:29–30)
“Words are fundamental to our lives. We use words to share, to create, to love, to define ourselves, and to build societies and worlds. We live through words. That’s why one of the most powerful things you can do for someone is to help them give a voice to their own words. …”
– Encouragement to think before we speak. Lionel Windsor writes at Forget the Channel.
Toronto church celebrates
“Christ Church, Deer Park’s Church on Tap community celebrates Pride month on June 14 with a Eucharist, followed by a drag show in the parish hall.”
– From page 9 of The Anglican, September 2019 (PDF file may download to your device), published by the Diocese of Toronto in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Link via Anglican Samizdat.
Albert Mohler’s The Briefing, August 28, 2019
In today’s issue of his daily podcast The Briefing, Albert Mohler turns to the question of abortion.
He draws out horrifying implications of “the deadly logic of the abortion movement”. The first three parts of the programme are very relevant to New South Wales.
Cathedral Conversation – NSW Abortion Legislation
St John’s Anglican Cathedral Parramatta is hosting a Cathedral Conversation on “Choices: The conversation about abortion we need to have”.
On Monday, 2nd September 2019 from 7:30pm. Read more
Tony Nichols: a man in relentless pursuit of the glory of God
“Bishop Anthony Nichols enriched innumerable lives in countless memorable ways, from an unassuming beginning in rural England to quiet faithful service on the other side of the world, according to Kate Roach, a former student and fellow parishioner of one of the greats of the Australian church, who died on Saturday, August 24, aged 81. …”
– Eternity News has this tribute to Bishop Tony Nichols.
Rebels Attack Boga, DR Congo
“Bishop William Bahemuka, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Boga (DR Congo) has reported that ADF rebels attacked Boga town in the early morning hours of Friday, 23rd August. Boga is located in the southern part of Ituri Province and is where the diocesan Cathedral is located.
More than 200 youth, children, and women were abducted, shops were looted, cows stolen, and the Anglican Mission Hospital was looted. A doctor and lab technician from the hospital are among those abducted. The raid lasted about three hours. …”
More from Barnabas Fund:
“More than 200 people including women and children have been abducted and a church mission hospital and shops looted by Islamist extremists during a raid on Boga, Democratic Republic of Congo, a majority Christian country. …
The ADF Islamist terrorist group has been operating in the region for more than two decades and has repeatedly attacked Christians. …
‘We also appeal for a massive outpouring of sustained prayer from Christians everywhere’ …” said Bishop of Boga Diocese, William Bahemuka.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…