Guarding the faith in a changing world – Archbishop Glenn Davies
“Archbishop Glenn Davies has spoken of the challenges to Christian faith within the Anglican Church in his final Presidential Address to the 2019 Synod of the Diocese of Sydney.
Taking his inspiration from the Pastoral Epistles, which he said had been a regular source of comfort throughout his ministry, Dr Davies said ‘The first priority of the Archbishop of Sydney is to be a guardian of ‘the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3). This is true of all those who hold office as a bishop in the church of God.’…”
– Russell Powell has the story on Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Presidential Address.
Read the full text here (PDF file). Well worth reading in full.
or watch the address, courtesy of Anglican Media Sydney.
Moore College Spring Carnival, Saturday 26 October
“A day to come along and check out the College, get an insight into Moore’s in-depth theological training, tour our new building, plus have all your questions answered by faculty and students. A presentation overviewing the College is followed by a tour of the new building with lunch to follow. Meals are our shout, but RSVP is essential for catering purposes.”
The ACL’s Pre-Synod Podcast
Check out the ACL’s 2019 Pre-Synod Briefing Podcast to get a feel for some of the key issues coming up at Sydney Synod.
Produced by the Anglican Church League as a service to members of Synod.
Religious discrimination bill so flawed it cannot be supported, Anglicans say
“The flaws in the Coalition’s religious discrimination bill are ‘so serious’ it cannot be supported in its current form, the Sydney Anglican diocese has warned. …
In a separate submission, the Freedom for Faith group has claimed the bill fails a commitment by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, ‘that the law would not take faith groups backwards in terms of protection of religious freedom’. …”
– Story from The Guardian.
The passing of new abortion laws — Statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies
Media Statement
Abortion laws pass the NSW Parliament
I want to thank the people of NSW who have petitioned, rallied and written to their parliamentary representatives during the recent debate on abortion.
Much has been achieved through these efforts so that the Bill that was finally passed by the Parliament is a far better Bill than what was introduced eight weeks ago.
We said at the time that it was unconscionable to attempt to rush this through the Lower House in the originally proposed timeframe, without any public consultation. We are grateful for the time that both Houses gave to the Bill and for the amendments made in both Houses.
Yet we are deeply saddened by the passing of these laws and the abortion-on-demand regime they introduce. The life of both a mother and her child in the womb are precious to God. We must love them both and protect them both.
May God have mercy on us.
Dr Glenn N Davies, Archbishop of Sydney, 26 September 2019
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
‘A virus in the Australian national church’ – Sydney Archbishop Glenn Davies calls out revisionist mavericks
Archbishop Glenn Davies was today’s guest on The Pastor’s Heart.
Well worth watching.
Sydney Archbishop Glenn Davies shares openly about –
- Weeping for the city of Sydney like Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
- His surprise to be speaking at public rallies against the extreme changes to the NSW laws surrounding abortion.
- How seriously flawed the bill is, and how deceptive and politically expedient the manner of it’s presentation has been.
On the sexuality crisis in the Australian Anglican Church, Dr Davies –
- says the rupture of the Anglican Church in Australia has begun, with a virus in national church, caused by not teaching properly the word of God.
- described the actions of the Bishop of Wangaratta as a maverick ‘last harrah’.
- labeled the ‘marriage’ of two male priests from Wangaratta as sinful.
- says he’s honoured to be attending Bishop elect Jay Behan’s consecration next month in New Zealand.
- suggests Jay Behan might give pastoral oversight to confessing Anglicans in Australia who want to break with their revisionist diocese.
Finally Dr Davies reflects on his own time as Archbishop in the lead up to his final Synod. Dr Davies says he’s been inspired by the boldness of Paul, and is so thankful for those many people who have prayed for him.
ACL Synod Dinner 2019 Bookings Open
The Anglican Church League invites you to the 2019 ACL Synod Dinner.
Monday 14th October, 5:30pm (or when Synod rises), at the Bishop Barry Centre, 51 Druitt Street, Sydney.
Hear the Rev Jay Behan speak on “Gospel decisions in a compromised age – the NZ situation”.
Jay Behan is the Bishop-elect of the Diocese of the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa/New Zealand.
(Click here for an interview with Jay Behan on The Pastor’s Heart. He discusses leaving the Anglican Church in New Zealand and the formation of the new Diocese. He will be consecrated a few days after the dinner.)
Dinner bookings are essential.
To come, please book by Wednesday October 9 by pre-paying $25 via PayPal, Mastercard or Visa online at this link.
Peter Jensen interviewed on Living through the Word podcast
Archbishop Peter Jensen was interviewed earlier this month on the Living through the Word podcast of Bishop Julian Dobbs (Anglican Diocese of the Living Word in the USA).
Peter speaks about Sydney, GAFCON, and his own background.
Battery hens given more thought than babies
“With just days to go before New South Wales Upper House MP’s vote on the Bill which would allow abortion right up until birth, a rally has been told Legislation to outlaw cruelty to chickens was given more consideration.
Thousands of Christians and other opponents of the legislation gathered at Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon, 15th September, under the banner ‘Stand for life, Love them both’…
There was well over eight thousand people at the rally including Sydney Anglicans, Catholic church groups, Greek Orthodox churches and Armenian community members as well as other faiths.”
– Story and image from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Watch Archbishop Davies’ address (admittedly, the video and audio quality is not wonderful) –
Also, you can use the Australian Christian Lobby’s portal to e-mail all members of the NSW Upper House – or you can contact them individually.
“Send a strong message to our Parliament” — Stand for Life Rally, Hyde Park, Sunday 15 September
Archbishop Glenn Davies has written to all clergy in the Diocese of Sydney concerning the “misleadingly entitled” Reproductive Health Reform Bill 2019, which he says, “in its current form [will] do great damage to our society in the legalisation of the death of innocent lives in the womb”. Read more
Cathedral Conversations — Choices — the video
The video from tonight’s Cathedral Conversations on “Choices: The conversation about abortion we need to have”, at St. John’s Cathedral Parramatta, is now available to watch at David Ould’s website.
The introduction starts about 6 minutes in. Archbishop Glenn Davies speaks from 87 minutes. He makes it clear that the issue is a matter of life and death.
Draft Religious Discrimination Bill — Diocese of Sydney Public Statement
Here’s a Pubic Statement from the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, 30th August 2019:
Draft Religious Discrimination Bill released
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s draft Religious Discrimination Bill but cautions more work is needed on the detail of the Bill.
“We welcome the Attorney-General’s clear statement that greater protections are needed for people of faith, or of none, concerning freedom of speech, conscience and belief. Other attributes such as sex and race are protected, it is only logical that faith be among those.”
Although there has been a media concentration on the case of Israel Folau, Dr Davies said the issues are much wider.
“We want MPs of all parties to understand the framework of faith by which religious organisations operate in all areas of society from care ministries to health and education.”
“We are disappointed that there doesn’t yet seem to be a comprehensive approach which includes both the draft legislation just released and the work of the ALRC examining the patchwork of existing legislation. There needs to be deep consultation on both areas as soon as possible.”
Dr Davies said the Anglican Diocese of Sydney was committed to engaging in the consultation process which Mr Porter has set in place.
“I hope the Federal Opposition will support, in the spirit of bipartisanship, an outcome which strengthens social cohesion and freedom of speech, conscience and belief in Australia.”
– From the Diocese of Sydney.
Cathedral Conversation – NSW Abortion Legislation
St John’s Anglican Cathedral Parramatta is hosting a Cathedral Conversation on “Choices: The conversation about abortion we need to have”.
On Monday, 2nd September 2019 from 7:30pm. Read more
Moore College Open Week 2nd — 6th September
It’s Moore College Open Week 2nd — 6th September 2019.
Details at the link.
Simon Manchester made Honorary Clerical Canon
“The rector of North Sydney, the Rev Simon Manchester, has been given a rare honour as he prepares to step down from his parish ministry at the end of this year.
Archbishop Glenn Davies has announced that Mr Manchester will join a select list of leaders who have been made honorary clerical Canons of St Andrew’s Cathedral. …”
– Good news from SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Simon is speaking at the 2020 CMS Summer School at Katoomba.)