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Two dioceses face shift in direction
By Allan Reeder
November 23, 2008

Anglicans in two key dioceses are coming to terms with the 'swing of the pendulum' evident in the choice of their new bishop.

The electoral processes of both Wangaratta and Canberra/Goulburn dioceses have chosen new leaders from markedly different church traditions than their predecessors.

After a succession of 'moderate catholic' bishops Canberra's electoral synod selected a Sydney Evangelical, the Revd Stuart Robinson, to be its new leader.

The rural Victorian diocese of Wangaratta has established a solid Anglo-Catholic tradition over many decades.

But, after recently reversing its diocesan stand against the ordination of women priests, the diocesan electors have kept up that pattern, choosing a long-time supporter of women's ministry, Bishop John Parkes.

The biggest 'pendulum swing', that's also set to attract the closest scrutiny in the coming months, is the choice of the current rector of the Sydney parish of St Paul's Chatswood, the Revd Stuart Robinson to be the next bishop of Canberra & Goulburn.

Stuart Robinson has built a profile across the Australian dioceses since his appointment as the national church's Mission Facilitator.

The decision of Canberra's 350 member election synod was announced earlier this month.

When the synod met it was faced with a reduced field after one of the names on the approved short-list, Bishop John Parkes, was missing. Bishop Parkes had been elected to lead Wangaratta just one week before the Canberra synod met in Goulburn.

Despite strong Sydney credentials, Stuart Robinson is said to be a supporter of women's ordination.

Announcing the result of the election, Synod President Dean Phillip Saunders said Stuart Robinson brings to the position a wealth of experience in the national church as well as in parish ministry and in developing new and pioneering ministries.

The new bishop is set to be consecrated by Sydney's Archbishop Peter Jensen in St Saviour's Cathedral in Goulburn January 31.

 

New bishop next month

Wangaratta's new bishop will be in place by the middle of next month.

Currently an assistant bishop in Brisbane and dean of St John's Cathedral, Bishop Parkes will take office at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Wangaratta on 13 December,

A former barrister, John Parkes trained for minstry at St Mark's National Theological Centre in Canberra before working in parishes in Bathurst and Canberra/Goulburn dioceses.

He's worked as Dean of Brisbane since 2004, overseeing the multi-million dollar cathedral restoration project.

Bishop Parkes said he was greatly looking forward to this next exciting and challenging phase in his journey in ministry.

Thew new bishop will move to Wangaratta shortly with his wife Margaret and two adult children, Nell and James.