‘Parents fight back after principals told to sign statement opposing same-sex marriage’
“Parents at a major regional Anglican school are fighting back against a controversial requirement that their new principal and board members sign a document stating they believe marriage is just between a man and a woman.
Frustrated parents at The Illawarra Grammar School have formed a group to oppose the rule which will force incoming heads of Sydney Anglican diocese-run schools to sign a statement of faith opposing gay marriage. …”
– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Image: First Anglican school in New South Wales.
Government Takeover Scandal
In her latest video, the Australian Christian Lobby’s Wendy Francis discusses the alarming takeover attempt of the Catholic Calvary Hospital in Canberra.
Quebec funeral home charging $700 for doctor-assisted suicide services
“A Quebec funeral home is renting out a private room for people to partake in doctor-assisted suicide – at a minimum cost of $700.
The cost is not for the euthanasia procedure, which is covered by Quebec’s medical insurance, but for the dedicated space featuring couches, candles, plants and artworks. Patients come to the home with their physician.
The funeral home’s new offering comes amid euthanasia deaths exploding in the province, going from 63 in 2015-2016 to 3663 in 2021-2022.
The funeral home takes charge of handling the deceased body, noting that it has necessary installations on site…”
– Report from True North (Canada).
Image: A St Helen’s Bishopsgate video.
Pastor: Help your Congregation navigate Gay Pride Month
From Jonathan Leeman at 9Marks:
“…pastor, consider how you might equip your church members to stand in truth and love during this month. As the neo-paganism of LGBTQ+ increasingly defines our nation’s public religion, more of our members will be taking it on the jaw at school and work. We should prepare them for these occasions if nothing else than by setting the example of speaking publicly ourselves.”
Target (US) has redefined its business model to force its consumers to make a choice
In his The Briefing for Friday 02 June 2023, Dr Albert Mohler looks at the place of Target (the US company, not the Australian one) in the culture wars – and the response of customers.
– Listen here.
Legislation passes allowing ACT government to move ahead with plans to take over Calvary Public Hospital
“The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed a controversial bill giving the government the power to take over Calvary Public Hospital in as little as 33 days. …”
See also:
Calvary forced into legal response to ACT Government’s legislation – Calvary, 30 May 2023.
Calvary to take legal action against ACT Government – Catholic Voice, 30 May 2023.
‘Favouring his mates’: Vicar reprimands PM over Calvary takeover – 2GB radio, 31 May 2023.
Image: Calvary.
Prime Minister supports Calvary compulsory takeover
“We now know that the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese, as an elected representative of the country, supports the compulsory acquisition of Calvary Hospital. This acquisition is not being done according to the rule of law or on just terms.
Can anybody imagine the great Labor Prime Ministers, John Curtin, Ben Chifley, Bob Hawke, or Paul Keating, doing such a thing?What’s at stake here is not the Labor Party, not the Catholic church, but the rights of ordinary citizens to have proper land and property rights.”
See also:
Anthony Albanese backs Calvary Hospital takeover two days before laws set to pass – The Catholic Weekly,
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed the ACT Government takeover of Calvary Public Hospital, just two days before legislation is likely to pass the ACT Legislative Assembly. …
Australian Medical Association ACT branch president, Dr Walter Abhayaratna, wrote in a recent letter to the ACT health minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, that the takeover sets a ‘terrible precedent’ and that senior doctors felt disrespected, shocked, dismayed and angry at the rapid takeover.
Legislation to compulsorily acquire the hospital and land was introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly on 10 May, and will likely be passed by the Labor-Greens majority government this Wednesday, on 31 May.”
Albanese supports ACT Government on Calvary acquisition – CathNews.
Anthony Albanese intervenes to back ACT Govt on Calvary acquisition – Canberra Times (subscription).
Calvary on the cross – former Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, at Spectator Australia, 27 May 2023,
“The belief that this proposal is about abortion – and euthanasia, which the ACT plans to introduce – is well-founded. Is the next institution to be acquired Clare Holland House, the praised palliative care service also operated by Calvary?
This is not a Catholic issue, nor even a Christian one. If the ACT government can acquire a well-functioning, viable hospital that is providing first-rate healthcare to the populace, what else can it acquire? Independent schools? Clubs with pokies? Greyhound and horse racing tracks? The premises of organisations that oppose its political views? This is a dangerous precedent which should be resisted by everyone who values the freedoms and toleration that our polity is built upon.”
Earlier:
Catholic Archbishop ‘shocked and stunned’ at ACT’s proposed takeover of Calvary Hospital.
The Gender Revolution — by Patricia Weerakoon with Rob Smith and Kamal Weerakoon
Coming soon from Matthias Media:
“How can you show love to someone who feels that their gender identity does not match how God made them—especially amid loud social messaging that says compassion and disagreement are incompatible? How do we keep the conversation grounded in reality? How do we lead others away from the harmful desire to transform their body into something it can never truly be? Why would hearing an explanation of God’s design for our bodies and his guidance for sexual expression be good for them, and how could you possibly begin that conversation?
Transgender ideology has quickly become pervasive in our broader culture, and many Christians prefer to avoid issues of sex and gender altogether. But if we’re not prepared in advance to show care and compassion to people questioning their gender identity or declaring a new one, we are unlikely to do it well when the moment arrives (as it inevitably will).
The Gender Revolution provides the biblical basis for a contemporary Christian response to the complicated feelings and experiences of gender dysphoria. Grounded in the latest scientific findings, this much-needed book is the fruit of decades of thorough research, medical practice and pastoral experience from the authors. It offers clear and compelling reasons for why God’s voice matters, and how it can be used to disciple others in truth.”
– Learn more at Matthias Media. “Available for pre-order; buy now and receive your copy July 2023.”
The Moral Revolution’s Targeting of Institutions: It’s not an Accident, it’s a Strategy
In his The Briefing for Thursday 25th May 2023, Albert Mohler takes another look at ‘the moral revolution’ and how it targets organisations.
While he is speaking from an American perspective, there’s a lot of application to Australia.
Related:
“the beginning of the end of freedom of conscience in Australia” – regarding Calvary Hospital, Bruce.
“the beginning of the end of freedom of conscience in Australia”
“In this crucial episode, Wendy Francis, Acting CEO of ACL, exposes the alarming attempts by the ACT government to compulsory acquire Calvary Hospital. Freedom of conscience and faith is at risk, and we cannot ignore it.
If the government succeeds with Calvary Hospital, there is serious concern, shared by many, as to which institutions could be targeted next across the country. …”
– Wendy Francis of the Australian Christian Lobby speaks plainly about the ACT Government’s move to compulsorily acquire Calvary Hospital, Bruce.
“The Government is not God.”
See also:
Say NO to the forcible takeover of Calvary Hospital – Australian Christian Lobby. (And follow the link to take action, if you desire).
Catholic Archbishop ‘shocked and stunned’ at ACT’s proposed takeover of Calvary Hospital
“After serving Canberra for more than 44 years, Calvary Public Hospital Bruce has been blindsided by the ACT Government, who yesterday announced it had begun an acquisition process to take control and ownership of the hospital, reports Catholic Voice.
If the proposed legislation is passed at the end of the month, the hospital will cease to operate under the governance of the Little Company of Mary. …
Canberra Health Services will run the hospital from July 3. …”
Related:
“Established in 1885 by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Calvary is a not-for-profit Catholic health care organisation. Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate healthcare to the most vulnerable, including those reaching the end of their life.” “Calvary is a Values based organisation” – Calvary Care.
Petition to Save Calvary Hospital Bruce – Catholic Voice.
‘Soviet Style’ Acquisition Of Canberra Hospital A Dangerous Precedent – Australian Christian Lobby –
“So unprecedented is the move, that the Labor-Greens ACT Government will introduce new legislation to execute its decision. The Catholic owned hospital has been a strong advocate for the sanctity of human life by conscientiously objecting to the provision of elective abortions and opposing the introduction of assisted suicide in the ACT.”
And in a letter from Archbishop Christopher Prowse Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn:
“My prayers and thoughts are immediately directed to the 1,800 workers of the hospital and their families. They must be worried about the ramifications of this decision for their future employment.
I am also concerned that this action, based on obsessive government control, would deprive future generations in Canberra of the choice of hospital care based on the ethos of our cherished Catholic faith.
There is a rising fear, also, that this extraordinary and completely unnecessary government intervention could set the scene for future “acquisitions” of any faith-based health facility or, indeed, any faith-based enterprise, including education or social welfare. …”
Photo: Calvary Hospital, Bruce, in Canberra’s north via Calvary Hospital website.
The mass hysteria and psychosis of modern society
“In many ways George Orwell’s 1984 could be regarded as a prophetic novel. Although written in 1949 there are parts of it that are even more apposite for 2023.
In the novel Orwell describes the Two Minutes Hate – a daily public period in which the citizens of Oceania watch a film showing Emmanuel Goldstein, the main enemy of the State, and his Brotherhood. They are encouraged to show their hate for him and their love for Big Brother. Orwell’s picture is a masterful description of group psychology – what he calls groupthink. It shows how people can transfer their own anxieties and anger on to an external enemy (who doesn’t really exist), and thus diverts them from questioning The Party – the governing authorities. In this way The Party can deal with thoughtcrime and thoughtcriminals. …”
– In his latest column for subscribers to Evangelicals Now, and reposted at his blog The Wee Flea, David Robertson calls on Christians to think for themselves.
A new deanery chapter for the City of London
As foreshadowed by William Taylor and others, the abandonment of the authority of Scripture by the Church of England’s House of Bishops is having repercussions for relationships between Bible-believing churches and their heterodox bishops.
The latest from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate:
“After the House of Bishops’ recent departure from the Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexuality, new leadership structures are needed.
A new Church of England City deanery chapter has been formed and is taking 5 steps to promote ongoing healthy Church of England ministry.
Here’s an update from St Nick’s and St Botolph’s.”
Watch the four minute video here.
According to Christian Today, “The deanery chapter held its first meeting in the City of London on Monday, attended by 10 clergy.”
Members of the new deanery have decided to take five steps – here’s a rough transcript from the video:
First, to meet together regularly and to invite all clergy in the city of London who are all clergy … who are compelled to resist all episcopal leadership from the House of Bishops on the grounds that their proposed Prayers of Love and Faith undermine the Church of England’s doctrine of marriage such that we can no longer walk in Partnership together.
Second, the meeting elected an acting Area Dean.
Third, some training curates in our deanery have felt forced to pause their post-ordination training. We therefore decided as a chapter that we will aim to provide necessary and equivalent ongoing training for these individuals.
Fourth, we acknowledge that there is an urgent matter relating to the selection of candidates who want to pursue Church of England ministry but are unable to apply because of the House of Bishops’ recent departure from faithful Biblical teaching. Therefore senior leadership from the churches within this deanery chapter will nominate a group of people who can select new prospective ordinands.
Fifth, there is also an urgent matter relating to the deployment of current Church of England ordinands who are hoping to get ordained this summer. We know that many because of conscience are unable to be ordained by the diocesan bishop or any bishop acting on her behalf. Therefore senior leadership from the churches within this deanery chapter will commission these individuals so that they are enabled to work within Church of England churches until such a time that their ordinations can take place.
Do pray for all who seek to be faithful to God’s word in the Church of England.
Anglican Diocese of the Arctic Defies National Church over Same-Sex Marriage
Here’s a story from Canada we missed from a couple of weeks back –
“The largest of the 30 dioceses in the province of 1.5 million square miles, the Diocese of the Arctic claims evangelical solidarity with bishops and clergy not recognized by the Lambeth Conference but with GAFCON and the Anglican Network in Canada.
Two bishops, David Parsons and Joey Royal (Suffragan) from the far north will attend GAFCON IV next month in Rwanda, standing with the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) and the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). …”
Photo: The Diocese of the Arctic.
Prayer as Thought Crime
“Stop and pray on the street in front of an abortion facility in England or Wales and you could find yourself under arrest. Never mind if your thoughts were lifted to God silently.
Clause 11 of the Public Order Bill, recently adopted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, bans “influencing” of any sort, including prayer, in a 150-meter zone around abortion facilities nationwide. An amendment to exempt silent prayer and consensual conversation from the ban failed, ushering in a new era of modern-day thought crimes in the U.K.
The parliamentary debate played out like a dystopian film script. …”
– International human rights lawyer Elyssa Koren writes at First Things.
(Link via Anglican Mainstream.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…