Bishop Ric Thorpe from London elected Archbishop of Melbourne

News from The Melbourne Anglican:

“The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has today announced the election of the Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe.

The Administrator Bishop Genieve Blackwell was pleased to announce the decision following the deliberations of the Archbishop Election Synod.  The synod, comprising approximately 760 people of the diocese, consisting of clergy and lay parish representatives, began its work on Friday 23 May.

Archbishop-elect Ric, currently serves in a special episcopal role as Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London.  It encompasses diocesan, national and international responsibilities, held together within the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication with a focus on church planting.

Ordained in the Diocese of London, Bishop Ric did his undergraduate theological studies at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and his doctorate through Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky United States.

Archbishop-elect Ric says, ‘We have come to love Melbourne over the years, as we have served and ministered in the diocese, in other denominations, and across the nation.’

Dr Thorpe’s passion is ‘seeing the whole Church of God thrive, enabling churches to be healthy, new congregations planted, and struggling churches revitalised.’

The Chair of the Board of Nominators, Dr Jenny George, described Archbishop-elect Ric as ‘an experienced and visionary leader. Ric has been personally involved in revitalising small or shrinking parishes and planting new churches.  His commitment to developing future leaders is seen in his local and global training of church planters and other leaders.’

He will succeed Archbishop Philip Freier who retired in February after serving 18 years in office, once it completes some internal processes to confirm his election.

Bishop Thorpe will be installed as Archbishop in St Paul’s Cathedral later in the year at a date to be advised.  Bishop Blackwell will continue to serve as Administrator until that time.

The Right Reverend Genieve Blackwell
Administrator of the Melbourne Diocese.”

– Source.

Here’s some background from The Diocese of London.

And a video by Bishop Thorpe from The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. (Above image from the video.)

From 2015: New church plant bishop will be Rev Ric Thorpe – by Ruth Gledhill gives some more background.

Please pray that the outcome of this election will be that the churches of Melbourne will be greatly encouraged to lovingly and clearly proclaim Christ across that city, and the Lord will be glorified as men and women turn to him.

Prayer reminder: Diocese of Melbourne Election Synod begins tonight

Here’s a reminder to uphold in prayer the members of the Melbourne Synod as they meet tonight (Friday), tomorrow – and longer if necessary – to elect the next Archbishop of Melbourne.

They value and seek your prayers.

We will aim to post any public news on our website as it becomes available.

Joint statement on the NSW floods

Joint statement on the NSW floods

Our hearts ache for the people of the Mid-North, Hunter and other areas of New South Wales suffering in the current flood crisis.

We pray for the tireless work of emergency workers and first responders as they guard and save lives. May God give them strength and endurance. We cry out to God for families grieving the loss of loved ones, homes and businesses. May they find comfort and hope.

We give thanks for the countless acts of neighbourliness, kindness and help, and for the resilience of these communities.

As Anglicare, Samaritans and local churches gear up for the recovery operation ahead, may God bless their efforts to share the love and compassion of Christ with a hurting community.

May those who suffer cling to the hope of restoration through the God who makes all things new.

The Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of NSW

The Right Reverend Dr Peter Stuart, Bishop of Newcastle

The Right Reverend Dr Murray Harvey, Bishop of Grafton

23 May 2025.

– via SydneyAnglicans.net

Praying for the Melbourne Election Synod

The Election Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne meets on Friday and Saturday of this week (23 and 24 May) to elect a new Archbishop.

They ask for your prayers in this process.

Last week, the Board of Nominators released their report to Synod which contains the names of the Candidates for election. The list of Candidates is not public. As the Board of Nominators explains:

“The information about the Candidates is confidential to Synod members. 

We are conscious that when candidates agree to be part of the process there is the potential for disruption to their current and ongoing ministry. Therefore we offer them confidentiality as a gesture of love and care for them and their pastoral ministries. The names of the candidates are not public and we ask that Synod members keep them confidential to other Synod members only.

However, candidates themselves have always been free to share information about their own candidacy with others.…”

Lists circulated online suggest that four candidates will be considered by the Election Synod.

The Board of Nominators has published this prayer:

“For the members of our Synod, as it elects a new Archbishop:

Loving Lord Jesus, who seeks for your people to be one,
as you and the Father are one: grant to the members of our Synod
the same unity of heart and spirit that is your will
as they elect a new Archbishop for our Diocese.
Enable them to discharge their weighty duties with care,
each member voting without fear or favour for the person
who, before God, they believe ought to be chosen as our chief pastor.
For you are alive, with the Father and the Spirit, now and forever. Amen.”

Diocese of North Queensland “on the brink of financial collapse” — report

“The Anglican Diocese of North Queensland is on the brink of financial collapse as it struggles to pay millions of dollars in compensation to victims of child sexual abuse.

Bishop Keith Joseph has revealed the diocese, which covers more than a third of Queensland, needs to find about $8 million to pay its victims.

The diocese is now preparing a Supreme Court application to formally restructure so it can sell assets to pay the compensation. …”

– Report from ABC News.

Map with thanks to the Diocese of North Queensland.

Bishop of Bathurst’s Newsletter: HOPE25 Edition – May 2025

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has released the latest Bishop’s newsletter for your prayers and encourgament.

– Read it online here. Or download the PDF file.

 

Broken plates illuminate gospel message

“Broken plates transformed with gold helped participants explore Easter’s redemption story at a workshop hosted by St Jude’s Parkville last month.

More than 40 people attended the kintsugi workshop where they repaired cracked plates while reflecting on how Christ’s sacrifice mends human brokenness. …”

– At The Melbourne Anglican, Hannah Felsbourg shares news of an innovative way of sharing the gospel.

Bathurst Diocese celebrates Bicentennary of Holy Trinity Kelso

Holy Trinity Kelso is the oldest parish west of the Blue Mountains, this year marking its bicentennary.

On Saturday, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel was in Kelso as part of the celebrations. Above, he is pictured with Mark Calder, Bishop of Bathurst.

Photos via the diocesan Facebook page.

Also see Archbishop Raffel’s sermon on 1 Peter 2:4-10 at the anniversary service.

Archbishop of Adelaide and Primate Geoffrey Smith announces resignation

“Adelaide’s Anglican Archbishop Geoffrey Smith has announced he will resign as Archbishop on November 8 and as Primate… of the Anglican church of Australia effective October 8th.

This will bring on the separate election process for both positions.

‘The time is right for Lynn and I to reconnect with family and friends by moving back to Queensland. Lyn and I will move to the Sunshine Coast, where we will settle and look forward to becoming involved with the local church and community,’ Smith writes in a letter to Adelaide clergy. …”

– John Sandeman at The Other Cheek has the news.

Photo: Diocese of Adelaide.

The latest North West Network

The most recent issue of North West Network (March 2025) is now up on the website of the Diocese of Northwest Australia.

– Download your copy for your encouragement and for food for prayer. (PDF file – linked from this page.)

Bishop Richard Condie — Hope for the hopeless — Luke 8:40-56

The Diocese of Bathurst is running HOPE25, with some special messages after Easter.

The Bishop of Tasmania, Richard Condie, begins the series by preaching from Luke 8:40-56. His topic? Hope for the Hopeless.

Very good to watch and share.

Coming sermons:

Three short Good Friday reflections from Luke 23 — Bishop Mark Calder

Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, shares three short reflections from Luke 23 for Good Friday.

See Luke chapter 23 (ESV).

1. He has done nothing to deserve death.Luke 23:2-25.
2. Today, you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:32-43.
3. Surely this was a righteous man. Luke 23:44-47.

Ministry opportunities expand in Bathurst

From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page:

“Back in August when our bishop wrote an article for Southern Cross, he said we needed just 11 more ministers, so that each of our 28 parishes might just have one! As of now, we need 15! Two of our ministers have moved to Sydney multi-staffed parishes, one has retired, one moved to another role, and another had to leave ministry for personal reasons.

Perhaps if you’re in a multi-staffed city parish, you might consider our situation and the tremendous opportunities which await. Please email our bishop: bishop@bathurstanglican.org.au.”

– Facebook.

See also:

Bathurst Diocese Ministry Opportunities.

“Folded and complied” — Conversion Laws Dilemma For Melbourne Anglicans

“Melbourne Anglicans face a dilemma. They must decide whether to obey state laws or the teachings of the Bible.

Their diocese demands that members sign a Code of Conduct that among many other rules, agrees not to seek to change or suppress a child’s gender — as dictated by Victoria’s conversion laws under the Change Or Suppression (Conversion) Practises Prohibition Act 2021.

Those who don’t sign the Code are banned from serving in the church or attending synods.

They include religious liberty analyst Elizabeth Kendal who laments that many church members have folded and complied with the code of conduct, ignoring Biblical teachings on gender and sexuality. …”

– Report from Vision Radio.

See also:

A Canary In The Anglican Coalmine – Mark Durie.

(Photo: St. Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne is the backdrop for an evangelist’s sign on Princes Bridge.)

Diocese of the Northern Territory Prayer Cycle 2025

If you would like help in praying for the work of the gospel in the Northern Territory, see the recently-published Prayer Cycle for 2025.

– Download your copy here. Direct link to PDF file.

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