“For 67 years she served her Lord and his church alongside her husband”
“Mrs Pam Goodhew, the wife of former Archbishop Harry Goodhew, has died of cancer.
Mrs Goodhew, who was 90, passed away on Friday 15th November while in palliative care at Piper House in Dapto. …”
– Russell Powell shares the news at SydneyAnglicans.net.
We join many in thanking the Lord for Pam Goodhew.
Southern Cross November-December 2025
The latest copy of Southern Cross magazine from the Diocese of Sydney is now available.
If you don’t see a copy in your local church, you can read it online.
State Funeral for John Laws
The State Funeral for John Laws CBE will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday 19th November at 1:30pm.
Good to keep all involved in your prayers.
Antisemitic slurs must be rejected
Here is a media release from the Diocese of Sydney:
Antisemitic slurs must be rejected
The rally staged outside the New South Wales Parliament on Saturday has rightly drawn condemnation from across the community – particularly as it occurred on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom against Germany’s Jewish community.
The black-uniformed protestors, carrying banners with the slogan ‘Abolish the Jewish Lobby,’ were clearly intent on spreading fear and antisemitism.
Authorities must investigate whether Saturday’s neo-Nazi rally in Sydney breached laws against inciting racial hatred.
Christians are defenders of free speech. We prize the freedom to declare ‘the praises of Him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light’.
This includes defending the freedom of others to disagree with us, and even to mock the truth we proclaim.
But speech that incites hatred is illegal in New South Wales.
Antisemitism has traded in lies, hate and violence for centuries. When it appears in modern day Australia it must be named, resisted and rejected.
Antisemitism—whether from the far left or far right—has no place in Australian society.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
10 November 2025.
– from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Since God so loved us – Sandy Grant and Rob Elder
“St Andrew’s Cathedral has always played a significant role in Sydney caring for the needs of the surrounding community. During and after World War II (1940-1947), approximately 3.5 million meals were given to active and returning soldiers in temporary Nissen huts erected on Cathedral grounds – the combined efforts of approximately 900 volunteers working for the Church of England National Emergency Fund (CENEF).
Over the last couple of decades, like many other church communities, the Cathedral has offered free English classes to serve the needs of overseas migrants and visitors. Bible reading is included as part of the approach – very appropriately, since the Bible and its message is so influential on our language, laws and culture.
Most recently, we have been especially delighted with the impact of Reverend Rob Elder on our ministry. Rob, a Moore College graduate, was appointed Community Chaplain at the start of 2024, and his position is funded by the Myfanwy Peters Estate for the relief of the needy in CBD of Sydney. …”
– Learn about and pray for this important ministry. Via the Moore College website.
Anglican Aid — In fellowship with GAFCON
From The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid:
“Anglican Aid gives thanks to God for the gospel faithfulness of the leadership of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), following their recent statement regarding the future of the Anglican Communion. This announcement is a declaration that the Anglican Communion would not centre around a person or an office, but rest on a single foundation: the Word of God.
As the overseas aid, development, and ministry support agency of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, Anglican Aid is committed to resourcing churches in the world’s poorest countries with faithful servants trained in the word of God. We are building and resourcing theological colleges and supporting the training of over 2,500 people for various ministries. Anglican Aid longs to see the word of God faithfully proclaimed to the nations. …”
Photo: Anglican Aid CEO Tim Swan with Archbishop Ande from the Anglican Church of Congo.
Sydney Standing Committee welcomes Gafcon announcement
From SydneyAnglicans.net, a Public Statement from the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney –
“Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Public Statement
At its meeting on 20th October, 2025 passed the following resolution welcoming Gafcon’s announcement on the future of the Anglican Communion.
‘Standing Committee –
(a) welcomes the attached 16 October 2025 statement by the Most Rev Laurent Mbanda, the Chairman of the Gafcon Primates Council, entitled ‘The Future has Arrived’, and commits itself to pray for the Global Anglican Communion,
(b) humbly prays that the Scriptures – the authoritative and life-giving word of Christ – may be firmly established at the heart of every parish and diocese within the Anglican Church of Australia. To this end, we commit ourselves to working faithfully through the structures of the Australian Church, and
(c) encourages all Sydney Bishops to attend the GAFCON gathering of the world’s orthodox Anglican Bishops in Abuja, Nigeria, from 3 to 6 March 2026.’
Sydney, October 20, 2025.”
– Source.
The Anglican future is here
“In a much anticipated announcement, the leaders of the Global Anglican Future Conference who represent the majority of Anglicans worldwide have begun the re-ordering of the Anglican Communion.
‘The future has arrived,’ said GAFCON in an eight-point plan symbolically released on the day of Commemoration of the martyrdom of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Anglican leaders who stood for biblical truth. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell reports on the Gafcon announcement, as well as reactions from Sydney.
See also (and quoted in the above article), this Media release from Bishop Peter Hayward, Commissary for the Archbishop of Sydney:
The Global Anglican Future statement on the Anglican Communion
In an initial statement responding to the announcement by Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, Bishop Peter Hayward, Commissary for the Archbishop of Sydney, said:
“We are thankful to God for the biblical faithfulness and clarity of the GAFCON primates. Their decisiveness at such a critical time gives comfort to orthodox Anglicans worldwide and supports mission with authentic, loving and truthful witness.”
Bishop Peter Hayward
Commissary for the Archbishop of Sydney (on leave)
18 October 2025.
Photo: The first GAFCON gathering in Jerusalem, 2008.
Finance industry leader to head Sydney Anglican Services
From SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Andrew Macey, an experienced banking executive, has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Sydney Anglican Services (SAS), the key support organisation for the Sydney Diocese.
Mr Macey has held senior roles for Westpac for more than 20 years, including in specialist finance, human resources and, since 2024, as CEO of the Westpac subsidiary RAMS Financial Group. …”
– Read the full story by Russell Powell.
Appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury — Response from Sydney
Appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury
We acknowledge the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury with a spirit of prayerful reflection and gospel-centred concern.
We commend Dame Sarah’s distinguished record of public service in healthcare and recognise her achievements in administrative leadership.
However, we also recognise that this appointment comes at a time of profound theological tension within the Anglican Communion. The recent trajectory of the English Church–particularly regarding issues of human sexuality, biblical authority, and unity–has caused deep concern among those who hold to the historic and reformed teachings of Scripture.
Her public comments show she has strayed from the clear teaching of scripture and promoted serious error that will neither advance unity nor the mission of the church.
The office of the Archbishop of Canterbury once held a symbolic leadership role in the global Anglican Communion. However, due to a tragic failure to uphold biblical teaching, successive Archbishops have forfeited the trust of orthodox Anglicans, who now look to other leaders.
The Church of England and its new leadership must urgently return to the message of faith, hope, and love entrusted to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bishop Peter Hayward
Commissary for the Archbishop of Sydney (on leave) 4 October 2025
Lawyers Task Force Leader Honoured
From Gafcon:
“We give thanks to God for the ministry of Dr Robert Tong AM, who continues to serve as the Leader of our Gafcon Lawyers Task Force.
Dr Tong was honoured this week at the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia, as he retires from his formal ministry in their Synod after 55 years of service.
Join us in thanking God for his strategic mind, theological wisdom, extensive knowledge of church law, and the personal example of faith and integrity he has provided throughout his years of service.
We continue to pray for the important ministry of The Gafcon Lawyers Network, as they provide legal and canonical counsel and resources to the Primates, bishops, clergy and other leaders of Gafcon as we seek to live out the Jerusalem Declaration and its implications for our life and ministry together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the supremacy of the Holy Scriptures.”
– From Gafcon.
ACL members continue to be thankful for Robert’s long term commitment to advancing the reformed and evangelical character of the Anglican Church of Australia, particularly in the Diocese of Sydney, through Anglican Church League, including his continued service as Chairman.
What Sydney means to us – and what we mean to Sydney
“The relationship between Uganda and the Sydney Diocese goes back to 1959, and the first visit by Bishop Festo Kivengere.
The strong bonds established then continue to this day. Bishop Alfred Olwa of Lango Diocese, who is also chairman of Uganda Christian University, spoke at Synod to the Rev Dr Simon Gillham. …”
– Encouragement from SydneyAnglicans.net.
ACL Synod Dinner 2025 audio
If you missed the panel discussion at the ACL Synod Dinner on 15ht September, with the topic of Hope from the Coal Face, the audio recording is available here:
Our panel speakers:
The Rev Canon Bruce Morrison has been the Senior Minister at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Parramatta for over twenty years.
The Rev Jason McPhail is the Assistant Minister at St John’s, Keiraville International Church.
Mrs Wendy Potts is the Anglicare Sydney Learning Consultant – Evangelism.
Jason McPhail and Wendy Potts contributed to the recent Hope for the Illawarra Mission.
Thanksgiving in Sydney Synod as Bathurst Diocese shares what God has been doing
On Tuesday of this week, three representatives of the Diocese of Bathurst were welcomed to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney – Bishop Mark Calder, Dr Warwick Baines (Registrar) and Adrian Ahern (Chancellor).
As shared with the Diocese of Bathurst via their Facebook page –
“Bishop Mark reported on all that God has been doing among us for his glory as we prioritise Sharing Jesus for Life.
He also thanked the Diocese of Sydney for their generous financial and prayerful support, which makes such a significant difference to the ministry here.
Finally, he shared the great need for more gospel workers, noting this would wonderfully maximise Sydney’s financial investment.”
These slides were used by Bishop Calder in his presentation –
The summary and further images can be seen at the Bathurst Facebook page.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, travelled to Bathurst Cathedral to speak at their Synod service tonight.
It’s all a great reminder to pray for the eternal welfare of the men and women of this huge area of NSW, and for the churches of the diocese as they are committed to Sharing Jesus for Life.
Thanks to the Diocese of Bathurst for the images.
“We will obey God”
From SydneyAnglicans.net –
“The Act purports to give churches, schools and parents permission to teach about sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity and religion. But, respectfully, we do not need the permission of the government to teach about such things,” said Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, drawing a line in the sand in his opening address to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney.
“I want to state clearly and publicly to you all – that ‘I will stand by any clergyperson or church worker who finds themselves brought before a tribunal or court because of this poorly conceived law. We must not be silenced or intimidated from teaching God’s good plan for human sexuality and relationships. We will insist on the freedom to do so, respectfully but without fear.’ We will obey God”
The act being referred to was the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 which Premier Chris Minns promised would not restrict churches in prayer or preaching. That pledge has now been undercut by Anti-Discrimination New South Wales (ADNSW). …
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…