‘I was abused by clergy’: Bishop of Newcastle tells of abuse
“Anglican bishop Greg Thompson has spoken about being groomed by an Anglican bishop and senior clergyman in the 1970s and later sexually abused, after an historic diocese apology on Sunday for the ‘shameful’ treatment of abuse survivors in the past…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also: Anglican bishop leading charge against child sexual abuse says he too was a victim – ABC News.
(Photo: In June 2015 Bishop Thompson apologised on behalf of the Diocese of Newcastle to all who have experienced abuse.)
Aasia Bibi placed in solitary confinement over fears for her life
“Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been languishing on death row since 2010 after she was unjustly convicted of blasphemy, has been transferred to solitary confinement amid fears she could be attacked by vigilantes…”
– from Barnabas Fund. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Update, 27 Oct 2015: Asia Bibi ‘healthy and safe,’ says her lawyer – World Watch Monitor.
Kara Hartley — encouragement for women in ministry
Kara Hartley, Archdeacon for Women in the Diocese of Sydney, spoke at the Priscilla & Aquila Centre Refresh Conference in August.
The theme was ‘Stress & Ministry’. The first talk – by Kara Hartley – on Psalm 100 – and the second – by Dr Helen Rienits – are now on Vimeo.
Centre for Ministry Development to focus on Clergy needs
“Moore College’s Centre for Ministry Development (CMD) has been assisting in the development of clergy for the past three years.
The Centre has recognised the need to more deeply research the development needs of clergy and has released its founding Director, Archie Poulos, from the Directorship in order to undertake this research…”
– Read the story at the Moore College website.
Bathurst Synod reflects on a year of change
“Bishop Ian Palmer’s Presidential Address to the annual Synod of Bathurst Diocese recalled a year of significant changes in many areas of diocesan life.
The first session of the 48th Synod of the Diocese met in Bathurst on the weekend of September 18-20…”
– It’s been another difficult year for the Bathurst Diocese, with the sale of the Bathurst Goldfields property on Mount Panorama, retrenchments in the diocesan office and the move of the Bishop to Dubbo – as well as the matters still before the Supreme Court of NSW.
Please pray that Christ would be known and loved across the Central West, through the preaching of his saving gospel.
Bishopscourt Sydney on the market again
“Sportsbet has weighed into conjecture surrounding the sale [of Bishopscourt Sydney] with $2.75 odds-on chance of the landmark residence selling between $20 million and $22,499,000…”
– More than you wanted to know, from Domain.
Sydney Synod “grieved” by actions of Bishops of Gippsland and Wangaratta
“Wednesday night’s [Sydney] synod ended with the passing of a robust motion responding to the actions of Bishop Kay Goldsworthy and Bishop John Parkes in undermining the Biblical doctrine of marriage and human sexuality.
The final motion, which was passed overwhelmingly, reads as follows…”
– Read the full text as posted by David Ould.
See also page 5 of the September 2015 edition of The Gippsland Anglican (PDF file).
(Image credits – Photo of Bishop John Parkes: Diocese of Wangaratta. Photo of the Rev. David Head and Bishop Kay Goldsworthy: Diocese of Gippsland.)
Former Bishop of Grafton stripped of holy orders
“A former bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton has been stripped of any standing within the church over his handling of allegations of abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home…”
– Report from ABC News. Please pray for all involved in this sad situation.
See also: Ad Clerum from The Archbishop of Brisbane and press release from the Diocese of Grafton. (500kb PDF file)
Biography of Sir Marcus Loane launched in Sydney
A large crowd gathered in Sydney on October 14th for the launch of a substantial biography of Sir Marcus Loane, Archbishop of Sydney 1966-1982.
From Strength to Strength – A Life of Marcus Loane, was written by Canon Allan M. Blanch, who is also an Emeritus Vice-President of the Anglican Church League.
The book was launched by Dame Marie Bashir.
From Strength to Strength promises to be an important contribution to Australian Church History. It also introduces Sir Marcus to new generations of Christians who, until now, may have known little about this towering figure.
A paperback edition is now available for order through the publisher’s website.
Top photo: Allan Blanch at the book launch.
Related: Archbishop Marcus Loane photo gallery.
Defending classic marriage — Synod speeches
Canon Sandy Grant moved, and Mrs Tara Sing seconded, the motion “Affirmation of marriage as between a man and a woman” at Sydney Synod on Wednesday 14th October 2015.
The text of Sandy’s speech is now available as a 115kb PDF file, with links to useful resources, and the final form of the resolution, as it was passed, at the end.
Mrs Tara Sing’s speech seconding the motion is below – Read more
New Churches for New Communities
The Archbishop of Sydney’s New Churches for New Communities has released these videos to highlight the work of building new church buildings in the growing areas of Sydney.
(The first video features Bishop Ivan Lee, for whom prayers continue to be requested.)
Sydney Synod reaffirms marriage
“A capacity-crowd at the Sydney Synod has voted for a re-affirmation of marriage as between a man and a woman and called for all Australian Christians to respectfully engage in the public debate on redefining marriage.
‘If we don’t do this – what will our silence say?’ argued Tara Sing [pictured], who spoke as seconder of the reaffirmation motion…”
– Read the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Police raid Sat-7’s Cairo offices
“Egyptian police raided Sat-7 channel’s Cairo offices on Oct. 10, confiscating equipment and briefly detaining the pioneer Arabic Christian broadcaster’s country office director.
Detained for hours before being released, director Farid Samir faces possible charges related to operating a satellite TV channel ‘without the necessary licenses,’ a press release by the Sat-7 Cyprus office said two days later…”
– Report from World Watch Monitor.
Archbishop Davies rallies Anglicans as Synod begins
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has delivered a rallying address on Christian mission, persecution and perseverance at the start of the church’s 2015 Synod…”
– from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Read the full text here (will download a PDF file) – or listen at this link (35MB mp3 audio) or watch the video.
Take the time to watch, hear or read the full address.
The Archbishop’s Presidential Address to the Sydney Synod on October 12th, 2015.
Here’s one extract:
“That two TV stations should recently refuse to air advertisements by Marriage Alliance for promoting what is simply the law of the land is a scandal! It is also symptomatic of the wave of naïve enthusiasm for the novelty of ‘same-sex marriage’ that a significant number of corporations have published their endorsement for this change in our law. How, one might ask, does such a position have anything to do with the core business of these companies—it is inexplicable. Why don’t we hear from these companies about their views on the treatment of asylum seekers on Manus Island or the decline in Australia’s foreign aid budget or other controversial issues such as the slave trade, euthanasia or abortion? Have these companies any idea of how many shareholders, let alone employees, who do not share these publicly endorsed sentiments regarding ‘same-sex marriage’?”
Good Governance Workshop
Good Governance Workshop
6:30pm, Thursday 26th November 2015.
This workshop is for you if you’ve been elected to a board or a council, particularly if you feel your own management experience doesn’t prepare you for this ‘governance’ role.
As a service to our diocesan organisations and the people elected by our Synod, the Anglican Church League presents a workshop designed to equip members of boards and committees with good governance principles and practice.
Click the image to download an invitation in PDF format.
What: A series of presentations on governance – particularly as it pertains to the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
Who is it for? Board members appointed to organisations of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
When: Thursday 26th November, 6:30pm–9:00pm.
Where: At The Chapter House – please enter via rear door of St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
How much? No charge.
To register, please send an e-mail to our organising committee at ggw@acl.asn.au via this link, specifying the names of attendees (so we can ensure we have the right number of handouts, etc.).
Main Speakers:
Archbishop Glenn Davies
on Evangelical Governance: what difference does the gospel make to governance?
Dr Robert Tong
on Responsible evangelical governance of diocesan boards.
Canon Bruce Morrison
on Responsible evangelical governance of school councils.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…