From Glebe to Gallipoli: Indigenous voices into Sydney Anglican history

From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –

 “Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has decried the ‘deeply repugnant’ treatment of Aboriginal Elder Uncle Ray Minniecon at an Anzac Day service, as the Diocese prepares to hear the ‘untold stories’ of Indigenous Anglicans. …”

– Read here. And there’s a media release.

James Valentine, Euthanasia and How Christians Should Speak of Death

This week at The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele introduces a topic which is “delicate, important, and pastorally urgent” –

“How should Christians respond when voluntary assisted dying is publicly framed as dignified, compassionate and courageous?

James Valentine has been rightly honoured as a much-loved broadcaster in the wake of his death last week.  But alongside the tributes there’s been significant reflection on his choice to use voluntary assisted dying in the language of control, dignity, generosity and dying ‘his way’.

How do we honour and grieve a much-loved public figure, while still asking serious ethical and pastoral questions about voluntary assisted dying? Has the public conversation shifted from VAD as a last resort to VAD as a normal end-of-life choice?

As we think carefully about death, autonomy, compassion, medicine, conscience and Christian hope we are joined by:

Dr Megan Best, senior researcher and professor of bioethics at the Institute of Ethics & Society at the University of Notre Dame Australia & Director of Ethicenter and

Emeritus Professor Michael Quinlan of the University of Notre Dame. Michael is also on the board of Freedom for Faith and Ethical End of Life Care.”

– A very sobering and important topic.  Watch or listen here.

The Reality of Biological Sex in Law — one step closer

“One of the deeply contested issues in Western societies at the moment is whether the law recognises the reality of biological sex. This is not only a question for faith groups, but it is one that most religious traditions regard as crucial – that there is a difference between men and women, and this difference can matter in some important contexts. But the question is also important for others in society, as this fundamental feature of humanity comes under challenge from those who claim that sex (or gender) is changeable.

The decision of Moshinsky J in the Federal Court of Australia, in Lesbian Action Group Inc v Australian Human Rights Commission [2026] FCA 432 (15 April 2026), arguably moves the law of Australia one step closer to acknowledging biological reality. …”

– Neil Foster shares his opinion on the latest developments – at Law and Religion Australia.

Photo: Associate Professor Neil Foster speaking at a Diocese of Sydney Safe Ministry conference.

Wales – rolls onwards towards same-sex marriage

From Anglican Futures –

“On the 15th April, the Governing Body of the Church in Wales will vote on a “Bill to incorporate into the Book of Common Prayer an Order of Service of Blessing following a Civil Partnership or Marriage between two people of the same-sex”.

If it passes, the fractures in the Anglican Communion will further deepen.

If it is rejected, it will be a miracle. …”

– Read it all here.

Image: Archbishop Cherry Vann delivers her Presidential Address, 15 April 2026. (For whatever interest, the proceedings are live-streamed here.)

Canadian Christian fined for posting ‘There are only Two Sexes’

“A former Canadian school board trustee — an outspoken Christian — is facing nearly $1 million in fines for expressing on social media his belief that there are only two sexes, male and female. …

All of this began back in October 2017, when Neufeld posted on his personal Facebook page that the district’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) program was rooted not in biology but was a ‘social construct’. …”

– AT AP, the Presbyterian online journal, Guido Kettniss shares his latest compilation of news from around the world.

Finland’s Supreme Court acquits Parliamentarian on Bible Tweet, Convicts her for “insult” in 20-year-old church pamphlet on separate charge

“In a narrow 3–2 decision, the Finnish Supreme Court has found parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen guilty of ‘hate speech’ on one charge relating to the expression of her beliefs on marriage and sexual ethics in a twenty-year-old church pamphlet.

Räsänen has been criminally convicted for publishing the 2004 pamphlet for her church, alongside Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola.

The conviction is for ‘making and keeping available to the public a text that insults a group’. The Supreme Court unanimously acquitted Räsänen for her 2019 Bible verse tweet. …”

– Report and image from ADF International.

A Dark Day in Britain

In his latest The Briefing broadcast (19 March 2026), Dr Albert Mohler laments the “very dark day” in Britain as the House of Lords advances legislation to allow abortion up to birth.

– Watch or listen here.

Paul Ehrlich — Author of “The Population Bomb” and Prophet of the Culture of Death

You may have heard that Paul Ehrlich, author of the influential 1968 book, “The Population Bomb” has died at the age of 93.

In his The Briefing broadcast for today, Tuesday 17 March 2026, Albert Mohler remembers Paul Ehrlich and the dark influence of his ideology.

Michael Youssef on the Left-Islamist alliance

From John Sandeman at The Other Cheek –

“Egyptian-born Michael Youssef is possibly the Moore College graduate with the widest global reach. He heads Leading The Way, which has a focus on reaching Muslims in the Middle East for Christ. He is concerned about Islamist influence in the West.

Youssef is in Sydney for a short visit and spoke to The Other Cheek. …”

– Read it here.

Image: Michael Youssef on The Pastor’s Heart in 2022.

Taking Grandma To Be Put Down

“In 2016, Canada legalized what it calls Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)—physician-assisted death for those experiencing severe suffering. At the time, the policy was presented as a narrow and compassionate option reserved primarily for those nearing the end of life.

Less than a decade later, the numbers tell a very different story. Since legalization, over 70,000 Canadians have died through MAID, with more than 15,000 deaths in 2023 alone. That means roughly one out of every twenty deaths in Canada now occurs through assisted suicide.

What began as an exceptional measure has quickly become a normalized part of the healthcare system. And that should make us pause. …”

– At AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Tim Madden, writing in the US, looks at what is happening in Canada and calls for a Christian response. (It’s also well on the way in Australia.)

Has God changed his mind over same-sex marriage?

“Despite their setback over gay wedding celebrations, Church of England ‘progressives’ are still hell-bent on replacing Christianity with toxic neo-Marxist identity politics.

The February 2026 General Synod in Westminster saw the end of the Bishops’ Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process which they launched in 2020 to prepare the way for dedicated services of blessing for same-sex couples. …”

– At The Conservative Woman, Julian Mann echoes the alarm bells sounded by Martin Davie over a new move coming to the Church of England’s General Synod.

Prayers of blessing STILL commended in the Church of England

From Anglican Futures –

“Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.

The Church of England has not “abandoned proposals to deliver blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in churches.” If only that were true.

What has happened is much more subtle and much more ‘English’. …”

– Read here.

The Rejection of Atheism is turning Boys into Men — Wes Huff and Dan Paterson

From John Anderson:

“John Anderson speaks with Wes Huff and Dan Paterson about the striking cultural shift among younger generations towards a renewed search for meaning, transcendence, and moral grounding. They reflect on disillusionment with secular narratives and the renewed interest in Christianity as a source of lifelong direction and purpose.

Huff and Paterson explore the impact of numerous online role models for young men, including Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate. This is a conversation that questions whether modern society can sustain itself without a deeper moral and spiritual foundation.

Wes Huff is the Vice President for Apologetics Canada and has participated in public dialogues, debates, and interfaith events on issues of belief and religion around the world. He holds a BA in sociology from York University, a Masters of Theological Studies from Tyndale University, and is currently doing a PhD in New Testament at the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College.

Dan Paterson is the founder Questioning Christianity. He has experience as a pastor, lecturer, and public speaker, having studied Theology and Apologetics in Australia and at Oxford. Paterson speaks regularly to audiences across the belief spectrum on how the gospel connects to life’s biggest questions, and on the popular objections to the Christian faith.”

– Watch at JohnAnderson.net.au.

Football and “transgender vilification” — the Kirralie Smith cases

“I have written previously about litigation involving Kirralie Smith stemming from her comments about a biological male playing in a womens’ football team.

In that post I noted the decision in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘NCAT’) in Blanch v Smith [2024] NSWCATAD 20 (22 January 2024). …”

– at Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster shares updates and his opinion on four recent legal decisions.

Inside Australia’s Hate Speech Backflip and what it means for Faith Communities

A special edition of The Pastor’s Heart –

“A roller-coaster week for religious freedom in Australia.

In just days, sweeping Australian national legislation moved from deeply alarming to not great, but not terrible — after intense pressure from faith leaders across the country.

In this special bonus episode of The Pastor’s Heart, we speak with Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney and director of Freedom for Faith, who had a front-row seat as the law was debated, amended, and finally passed late at night in Parliament.

What was originally proposed? Why did faith leaders unite in an extraordinary last-minute letter to the Prime Minister?  Which parts of the bill remain concerning — and which dangers were narrowly avoided?

We walk through how the law was actually made — and what it now means for preaching, Bible teaching, protest, and free speech in Australia.”

– Watch or listen here.

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