Three Anglican bishops face disciplinary action

“Newcastle Anglican diocese has initiated disciplinary action against three former bishops condemned by the child abuse royal commission for their roles in failing to stop ‘a group of perpetrators’ sexually abusing Hunter children for at least 30 years. …”

– Further fallout from the Royal Commission. (The Newcastle Herald.)

Time for churches ‘catch up with where God is’ on same-sex marriages – Dean of Brisbane

“The church communities of which I have had the privilege to be part, both as a lay and ordained person, have been blessing same-sex unions for years.

Rarely have these blessings been done in any formal or liturgical sense. But that is the overdue step that is now required. …”

– The Dean of Brisbane, Dr Peter Catt, claims that the church need to ‘catch up with where God is’. Article in The Brisbane Times.

Photo: St John’s Cathedral.

Diocese of the Northern Territory celebrates 50 years

In June, the Diocese of the Northern Territory celebrated fifty years of ministry.

The latest edition of Top Centre (PDF) has a special photo feature. A good reminder to pray for the salvation of many across the Top Emd.

Related: Nungalinya College in Darwin is seeking a new Principal. Applications close this month.

Diocese of Wangaratta pushes ahead with Same-Sex Blessings

“The Diocese of Wangaratta, at its recent synod, passed the following motion,

That this Synod:

… commends the pastoral value of the Bishop authorising a Form of Blessing [of same-sex couples] for optional use in the Diocese of Wangaratta … and  …

requests that the Bishop of Wangaratta ensure opportunity for the clergy and laity of the Diocese to engage in further discussion as part of the process leading to the potential Diocesan provision for blessing of civil marriages. …

It is hard to see [Bishop Parkes’] actions here as anything other than a direct challenge to the position that the Anglican Church of Australia has established both at a national synodical level and also amongst his fellow bishops.”

– Read the post at DavidOuld.net for more.

Canberra & Goulburn Episcopal Election Nominations Committee proceeds to next stage

“The Episcopal Election Nominations Committee… has now completed the consultation phase and the Diocesan Profile and Episcopal Selection Criteria. …

On 2 July 2018 we will be inviting Members of Synod to propose the names of persons for consideration as Prospective Nominees.”

– The Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn Nominations Committee is continuing their work, with an Election Synod scheduled for November. Do continue to pray for the churches of the diocese, and for those who will be proposed.

Reactions to the Gafcon 2018 Conference Statement from leaders in Europe, Africa, North and South America and Australia

The GAFCON Media Team have been busy, and have now uploaded this compilation of reactions from Anglican leaders in Europe, Africa, North and South America and Australia.

Most encouraging.

Australian Diocesan Bishops speak on the Gafcon 2018 conference statement

Archbishop Glenn Davies of Sydney, and Bishops Richard Condie of Tasmania, Gary Nelson of Western Australia and Ian Palmer of Bathurst, speak of their experience of #Gafcon2018, and reaction to the ‘Letter to the Churches’.

Bishop Richard Condie mentions the National Anglican Future Conference, coming up in September. Read about it here.

New Zealand church leaders react to the GAFCON 2018 Statement

Dominic Steele speaks with Michael Hewett, Dave Clancy & Jay Behan, and tell something of their story.

Parish confident St Matthias’ will be saved

“The Holy Trinity Anglican Parish [Launceston] is confident St Matthias’ Church will be saved from sale.

The Windermere church was chosen as one of 108 properties the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania plans to sell in order to partly fund its commitment to the national redress scheme for sexual abuse survivors. …

Speaking at a public meeting on Sunday, the Holy Trinity Anglican parish Archdeacon Dane Courtney said the community could successfully raise the amount expected to go toward the redress scheme to save the church. …”

– Report and image from The Examiner.

North West Network, June 2018

The latest edition (June 2018) of North West Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of Northwest Australia (the largest diocese in Australia — by geographical size) is now available.

Download the PDF file and use it to inform your prayers on behalf of the people of the North West.

Here’s a snippet from the latest issue –

“Meet Ross, a visitor to the North West. In August 2017 he left Perth needing a break from caring for elderly parents and looking for direction in his wayward life.

Ross stopped in Geraldton and went to the Bluff Point Anglican Church. That Sunday he heard God speak to him from 1 Peter 2:13-16,

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Ross realised he wasn’t holy. He was cut off from God because of his sin. A church family invited him to lunch and over the course of three days Ross became a Christian. He went from spiritual death to life knowing that God’s love and forgiveness came to him through Jesus Christ. This was life changing for Ross.

But that’s not the end. …”

– Read the rest of the story on page 2 of the June 2018 NWN.

David Peterson on Romans — one of Albert Mohler’s ’10 Books Every Preacher Should Read’

“Dr Albert Mohler, theologian and current President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, sees the personal collections of preachers as an indication of their preaching priorities, style and engagement. In his annual book review for Preaching Magazine, he highlights the ten books that he believes essential in 2018 for pastors to be reading, reflecting on and shaping their own ministry now and into the future. …”

– Good news from Moore College.

‘Embrace pluralism’ — Gippsland Bishop-elect

“Bishop-elect Richard Treloar says Anglicans can offer the wider world a more relational understanding of truth as an alternative to binary thinking that accentuates differences …”

– The Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Gippsland speaks to The Melbourne Anglican about his ‘inclusive’ thinking.

Related: New Bishop for Gippsland.

Anglicans joining Federal redress

“The Diocese of Sydney has agreed to participate in the Commonwealth Government’s Redress Scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse.

In March, the Diocese welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of the scheme and reiterated its commitment to ‘meeting its responsibilities towards those who have suffered because of the appalling acts which have been perpetrated on vulnerable children in our care’.

A Diocesan redress policy has provided care and assistance payments for survivors of child sexual abuse since 2004 but the Standing Committee of the Diocese has now officially confirmed its participation in the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, welcomed the decision and commended the Federal Government for establishing the scheme, the legislation for which is currently before the Senate.

‘The suffering of those who have been abused can never be overestimated. We must face any failures of the past with integrity, honour, repentance and compassion.’ Dr Davies said.

As further details of arrangements become known, the Diocese will work in conjunction with the Federal Government, through the new company being established by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia.”

– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net. (Image: Crest of the Anglican Church of Australia.)

I’m ‘overwhelmingly sad’ about the sale of Anglican churches: Bishop Condie

“Anglican Bishop Richard Condie says he is “overwhelmingly sad” that communities might lose their churches, but at the same time he’s trying to lead an organisation that is addressing its responsibilities to victims.

Bishop Condie says he has chosen not to attend town hall meetings about church sales because they are full of emotion and rarely achieve good outcomes.”

– Bishop Condie was interviewed on ABC Radio in Tasmania this morning.

Related: Anglican Church votes in favour of Redress Proposal – Diocese of Tasmania.

And a reminder to pray for Bishop Condie and all involved.

GAFCON — Uniting and Reforming

In the run up to this month’s GAFCON 2018 in Jerusalem, GAFCON has begun publishing reflections from some who attended precious gatherings.

Published so far: Melvin Tinker, Jane Tooher, and Winnie Njenga.

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