Northwest Network — Pray for the DNWA

“I write this from Tom Price – the highest town in WA, under the shadow of Mt Nameless.

Christine and I are on a six week, 7000km safari visiting our more northerly churches. But what a blessing to journey through the spectacular country of North West Australia. How thankful to God for such a blessing! Yet the greater blessing comes from meeting the saints in the churches and spending time with ministers and their families. We are very grateful for their faithfulness and perseverance.”

– Bishop Gary Nelson writes in the September 2014 edition of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia. Download it as a 950kb PDF file.

New Rockhampton Bishop to be consecrated

“In a first for the Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton, the consecration of new Bishop David Robinson will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow. Previously, the new bishop was either already consecrated or the consecration took place in Brisbane. People are travelling from all over the diocese to witness the historic occasion, including as far afield as Winton…”

– from The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin.

Archbishops seek asylum for refugees from northern Iraq

“Archbishop Philip Freier, has urged the Federal Government to accept as refugees some of the Christians facing unimaginable suffering in northern Iraq.

Dr Freier, who was inaugurated as Primate of Australia at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening (August 13), praised the government for its “rapid response in providing aid to the displaced thousands in Iraq”.

He told a press conference that he had written to the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott, and Immigration Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, asked them to emulate France in offering asylum to those facing forced conversion or death.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who gave the sermon at the inauguration service, told the conference that what was happening right now in northern Iraq at the hands of the ISIS jihadi fighters was “off the scale of human horror”.…”

– Story (and photo by Kit Haselden) from the Diocese of Melbourne.

Happy birthday to the Province of Western Australia

“On this day in 1914, the Province of Western Australia came into being when the relevant papers were signed by Archbishop John Wright, the Primate of the, then, Church of England in Australia…”

– A little bit of history, via the Diocese of Perth – but a good reminder to pray for the clear preaching of Christ in WA – in the Dioceses of Perth, Bunbury, and the North West. (Image from ACA.)

Lamentation Sunday Apology from Canberra & Goulburn

Bishop Stuart Robinson has released this apology for any hurt by clergy or church workers in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.

An Apology to any hurt by the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn

“On Sunday 10 August 2014, parishes across the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn will hold a special commemoration service called Lamentation Sunday.

These services will include a public apology by the Right Reverend Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.” – Read it here.

Open Letter to the PM regarding Iraqi Christians

“Thu 31 July 2014

Dear Prime Minister,

I write this ‘open letter’ on behalf of Anglicans across southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to express our deep distress and dismay at the creation of a new wave of refugees by militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS); a situation about which, I am sure, you are fully cognisant…”

– Read the full letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, from Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn.

Related: Church leaders call for support of Christians in Iraq. (NSW Council of Churches.)

Bathurst’s All Saints College named in bank’s legal action against diocese

“Court documents have revealed the Commonwealth Bank is looking for damages of more than $24m from the former Anglican bishop of Bathurst and five other defendants…”

– Report from ABC News.

Around the ACA — 29 July 2014

Australian dioceses (image: Anglican Church of Australia) Here are a few items from around the Anglican Church of Australia –

Newcastle – Vigil Service to commemorate beginning of World War I, 03 August.
Canberra & Goulburn – Lamentation Sunday, 10 August.
Bathurst – Diocese to raise funds for court proceedings.
Armidale – Talking Sense about Sex: Dr Patricia Weerakoon visit to diocese.
Tasmania – Position Statement on Suspended Sentences. (Image: ACA.)

Archbishop Phillip Aspinall’s Brisbane Synod address

The Presidential Address given at last week’s Brisbane Synod by Dr Phillip Aspinall is now online – PDF format.

‘Retiring Dean [of Perth] leaves his mark’

“For almost a quarter of a century, John Shepherd has worked in one of Perth’s most recognisable and loved buildings. As Anglican Dean of Perth, he has filled St George’s Cathedral with song and music.

“What a cathedral does is give people permission to imagine God … to imagine the dimensions of the divine,” he said. …

He ruffled the feathers of conservative members of the Church by inviting a Buddhist abbot and a Muslim cleric to preach.”

– from The West Australian. (Photo: St. George’s Cathedral Perth.)

MH17: Prayers at Parliament House

“Prayers were said in Parliament House, Canberra, surrounding the signing of the Book of Condolence for the victims of the MH17 aircraft disaster on Wednesday 23 July 2014…”

– from Defence Anglicans.

Melbourne ‘Multifaith Service for Flight MH17 victims’

“A Multifaith Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Thursday 24 July at 10am will mark the tragic loss last week of 298 lives aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17. The Primate of Australia, the Most Revd Dr Philip Freier, and the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Dr Denis Napthine…”

– More here.

Bathurst Diocese ‘to fight asset sell-off’

“The Commonwealth Bank is demanding the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst repay its $25 million debt immediately, and to do so it must sell-off church buildings. However, Bishop Ian Palmer says the church will not go down without a fight and will do all it can to protect its churches…”