Archbishop Freier to Melbourne Synod 2013
Archbishop Dr Philip Freier addressed the 51st Synod of Melbourne Diocese as it began yesterday – his remarks are now available on the Diocese of Melbourne website. (Photo: Kit Haselden.)
Ballarat Synod to vote on women priests
“Ballarat’s Anglican synod meets this week to determine whether the diocese will accept the ordination of women as priests. …”
– The Ballarat Courier. Ballarat synod papers here.
Newcastle Bishop-elect ‘keen to build community”
“Newly elected Anglican bishop Greg Thompson has vowed to use his appointment to strengthen trust between the church and the Hunter community, while encouraging more open discussion on hot-button issues including child sexual abuse, same sex partnerships and indigenous affairs.
Muswellbrook-raised Mr Thompson was elected the 13th bishop of the city at a September synod meeting, with his installation planned for February 2 next year.”
– Story from The Newcastle Herald.
New church plant in Adelaide
“An Anglican Church in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs is so packed to the rafters it’s spawned the need for a new church nearby — in a bowling club.
Regulars at St Matthew’s Church Sunday morning congregation in Kensington began to find it increasingly hard to find a seat, prompting the radical move to transform a local sporting mecca…”
– from The Adelaide Advertiser. St. Matthew’s Kensington.
Anglican sale a blessing
“The Orange Anglican Grammar School is counting its blessings after the sale of the school by the Bathurst Anglican diocese was finalised before news of the bank closing in on the church’s debts broke. … The sale of the Orange school to the Sydney Anglican School Corporation went through last week and principal Len Elliott is excited to get capital works programs off the ground.”
– report and picture from The Central Western Daily.
Animals blessed at Melbourne Cathedral
“Archbishop Philip Freier and the Dean of Melbourne, the Very Revd Dr Andreas Loewe, hosted one of their more unusual congregations at St Paul’s Cathedral on 10 October when the threat of inclement weather forced the first Blessing of the Animals service indoors.
The service, celebrating St Francis of Assisi, had been intended for Federation Square but Cathedral authorities opted for their wet-weather option with Melbourne’s spring weather at its most fickle as the 5.10pm starting time approached.
Timmy the Dorset cross sheep, Miss Chief the goat and six Labrador puppies, in training with Customs and Border Protection, had places of prominence as representatives of the animal kingdom…”
– Story from Anglican Media Melbourne.
(Lots of similar services around the country last weekend and this week.)
Financial woes leave Bathurst Diocese in a “very difficult place”
“I am unable to see clearly what the diocese may look like in the future,” [Bishop Palmer] said in a letter read out to parishes across the diocese. … [The debt] is large and we cannot repay the bank in full.”
– Report from The Western Advocate.
This is a good reminder to pray for Bishop Palmer and the people of the Diocese of Bathurst.
‘Anglicans in Perth vote to recognise same sex relationships in synod decision’
“Anglicans in Perth have voted to have same sex relationships recognised. The church synod has voted by a two thirds majority to call for legal acknowledgment of civil unions between people of the same sex. …”
– Report from ABC News.
And another report, from WA Today –
“Father Chris said the aim of the policy was to counteract negative and hurtful comments about same-sex couples by other Christian groups, particularly the Australian Christians Lobby.
‘When they come out and say things like ‘it’s unnatural to be gay’ or ‘it’s against the bible’ or ‘all Christians reject homosexual behaviour’ … we want to say ‘that’s not the case’,’ he said.”
Bishop of Tasmania – Pastoral Letter on Euthanasia
“Today I sent the following Pastoral Letter to all Anglican Parishes in Tasmania asking that the letter and attachments be made available to Parishioners.…
Pastoral Letter – Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
You will have learned recently that the Hon. Lara Giddings and the Hon. Nick McKim, Members for Franklin have recently introduced the “Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013” to the Tasmanian parliament.
This Bill would allow those who meet certain eligibility criteria to be prescribed and receive a lethal injection. This Bill is a direct threat to the lives of Tasmanians, particularly the sick and elderly. This Bill embraces a philosophy of human value defined by convenience and personal capacity. It stands against the responsibility of societies and governments to implement compassionate, timely, and effective care for those who are unwell or disabled in some way. …”
– Read it all at Bishop Harrower’s blog.
Related: Belgian helped to die after three sex change operations (BBC News).
“A transsexual has been helped to die by doctors in Belgium, after a series of failed sex-change operations. Nathan Verhelst, born a girl, asked for help to end his life on grounds of psychological suffering. He died in a Brussels hospital on Monday. Two doctors concluded the 44-year-old did not have temporary depression. …
Belgium legalised euthanasia in 2002. There were 52 cases of euthanasia on psychological grounds last year. … There were 1,432 recorded cases of euthanasia in Belgium in 2012; a 25% increase on the previous year’s figure.”
Goulburn area Business ministry launched
“Gunning priest, Archdeacon John Barnes, has launched a new mission and ministry initiative to support the business community of Goulburn and surrounding communities. …”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…