Anglican Diocese of Sydney: Public Statement on the verdict in the case of Cardinal Pell
“Like many Australians, I am shocked and appalled by this verdict. I am unable to comment on the specifics of the case as the legal process must continue to take its course.
Any abuse of a child is abhorrent and must always be condemned whenever and wherever it occurs. Churches should be at the forefront of protecting children and providing a safe and loving environment.
The Anglican Church in Sydney is committed to zero tolerance of child abuse and we are grateful for the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which has helped churches expose and deal with this scourge in our midst.
Archbishop Glenn Davies
26 February 2019.”
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
One Among Our Cloud of Witness
“We are fortunate in this diocese that, although a relative new comer in the history of Christianity, God has granted us so many examples of faithful obedience to his word. One servant who was called home on 7 September 2018, was the former Archbishop of Sydney, Donald Robinson. His impact on Anglicanism in Australia and wider evangelicalism was profound. …”
– Dr. Ed Loane shares the latest on the publication of Donald Robinson’s Selected Works.
The two new volumes will be launched at Moore College on Saturday 16th March 2019.
28 new Deacons ordained in Sydney
“There were too many smiles to count as the ordinands of 2019 filed into a packed St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney to be made deacons by the Archbishop of Sydney. …”
– Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Ordinands 2019
Over at SydneyAnglicans.net, there’s a list of those to be ordained at deacons tomorrow, Saturday 16th February, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
It’d be good to pray for them and their families!
Anglican Aid Prayer Diary 2019
Sydney parishes will have received copies of The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid Prayer Diary for 2019.
If you find it more convenient to download as a PDF file to your device, for use on the go, you can get a copy here – or read it online.
If you use the free PrayerMate app, you can subscribe to the Anglican Aid feed.
“New $7.3 million Glebe residence planned for Archbishop Glenn Davies”
“For more than a century Sydney’s Anglican archbishops resided in the 1841-built sandstone mansion Bishopscourt, but the church’s official Sydney residence may take on a far more contemporary look in the future, according to DA plans before Sydney City Council. …”
– Story from Domain (however, at Sydney Synod, it was explained that Archbishop Davies is expected to have retired by the time the planned residence is built).
Anglicans honoured on Australia Day 2019
Christian businessman and philanthropist Tim Sims and Anglicare Board member Ian Steward are among those on the Australia Day Honours List for 2019.
Looking for a Saviour — Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Christmas message 2018
Here is Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Christmas message for 2018.
Short, to the point, and ideal to show in church or embed on your church website.
See also the story and text from SydneyAnglicans.net.
“The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has paid tribute to lifesavers and bushfire fighters while marking celebrations for the birth of Jesus, the saviour.
Archbishop Davies annual Christmas message was released as preparations were being made for Christmas services to be attended by thousands of people across Sydney, the Illawarra and beyond.…”
Update on Bishop Lee — 20 December 2018
“The Bishop of Western Sydney, Bishop Ivan Lee has now been diagnosed with cancer in his liver.
Bishop Lee wrote an update on his health, thanking people for prayer support. …”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has published the latest update from Bishop Ivan Lee, Bishop of Western Sydney, and also a Vice-President of the Anglican Church League. Please do continue to uphold in prayer Ivan and Virginia and their family.
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ response to the release of the Ruddock Report
Anglican Diocese of Sydney Media Statement
13 December 2018
We are grateful the Ruddock report has finally been released and view it as the start of an urgent process to frame appropriate legislation for religious freedom. This should be a bipartisan issue since it involves the harmony of our entire community, not just the more than 60 percent of Australians who identify with religious faith.
Dr Glenn Davies
Archbishop of Sydney.
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Failure for Newcastle Diocese challenge of Sydney Affiliated Churches Ordinance
“The Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia has today issued an opinion on a series of questions put to it by the Diocese of Newcastle about the Diocese of Sydney‘s Affiliated Churches Ordinance.
The Ordinance allows for non-Anglican churches to affiliate with the Diocese of Sydney and so obtain a number of administrative and other benefits while not being recognised as Anglican. …”
– David Ould has the details and links.
150 Years of Cathedral ministry
“November 30 marks 150 years since Sydney’s Cathedral was consecrated by Bishop Barker.
St Andrew’s Day in 1868 was an occasion of celebration and dedication – not just because a building had been constructed, but that a centre for gospel ministry could prosper in the heart of the city.
The prayer was that God would call people to himself as Christ was proclaimed by those ministering at the Cathedral. …”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net, and a good reminder to give thanks and to pray the current ministry of the leadership and congregation of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.
162nd Academic Year Concludes at Moore
“Today was ‘Final Friday’ at Moore. Held to mark the end of the academic year, there was a community chapel followed by lunch for all, where many families from the College were present along with all faculty, staff and students.
The end of year sermon was given by our Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, on 2 Timothy 4. …”
Sydney Anglican Schools – Media Statement
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement
The Archbishop of Sydney has apologised to anyone distressed by a letter to Federal MPs about religious freedom, saying the issue has led to hurt and pain.
Here is the statement from Archbishop Davies:
The letter was addressed to Federal MPs and the intent was to promote religious freedom for Anglican schools but I realise that it had the unfortunate consequence of affecting many gay students and teachers in our schools, for which I am deeply sorry.
I have been told by the Heads of our schools of the distress the letter has caused. There were fears that gay students were going to be expelled or gay teachers sacked. This really saddens me. Our schools do not expel students or dismiss staff on the basis of their sexuality, nor have they ever wanted this right. All people are created in God’s image and valued in his sight, and in the sight of our schools. Our schools are open to everyone, without discrimination, for parents who desire an education for their children in the Anglican tradition.
The Heads, councils and staff of our schools are committed to the welfare of students and have been tireless in addressing the concerns expressed by their school communities. I commend them for the statements they have made and their caring responses.
This past week has demonstrated it is untenable that religious freedoms be expressed as exemptions in discrimination acts. Some exemptions, such as those relating to sexuality, we do not use and have no wish to preserve. But the mere fact these remain on the statute books has alarmed people. Therefore, I have approached the government and the opposition for an immediate bipartisan approach which would remove these exemptions and create legislation which provides a positive protection for freedom of religion.
Dr Glenn N Davies, Archbishop of Sydney, 8 November 2018.
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
Real freedoms will end the broken chain of exemptions
“Bad legislation is made in a rush. But when it comes to religious freedom we already have bad legislation and there seems to be no urgency to fix it properly – just a rush to create more. …
Let’s be very clear, before you read any further. Anglican schools in Sydney do not expel students for being gay and do not sack teachers for being gay. It is an absurd proposition and it strikes at the very heart of our faith, that all people are created in God’s image and valued in his sight and in our schools.”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has published the full text of Archbishop Glenn Davies’ open letter in The Australian of 6th November 2018.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…