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List of women bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia

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In September 2007 a majority of the Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia decided nothing in the church's constitution prevented a diocese from consecrating women priests as bishops.[1][2] The appointment of women as bishops is still contested in a few parts of the Anglican Church in Australia and is discussed in both the religious and mainstream press.[3][4][5][6]

The Anglican Diocese of Sydney refuses to recognise women as priests or bishops and will only ordain women as deacons.[7][8][9] Metropolitans usually consecrate bishops. The metropolitan of the province and state of New South Wales is also the Archbishop of Sydney. The Anglican diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, the Anglican diocese of Grafton and the Anglican diocese of Newcastle are located within the province of New South Wales. Three consecutive Archbishops of Sydney/Metropolitans of New South Wales formally authorised the consecration of five women bishops within those dioceses, but would not participate and deputised other bishops to conduct the consecrations: the Bishop of Newcastle for three women in Canberra and Goulburn and one woman in Newcastle, and the Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn for the first female Bishop of Grafton.[10][11][12][13][14]

These women have been consecrated and installed as bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia. Each bishop's biographical article is linked from her name when one has been written.[15]

Name Date first consecrated bishop Office, Diocese, Dates
Kay Goldsworthy 22 May 2008 Assistant Bishop, Perth (2008–2015); Bishop, Gippsland (2015–2017); Archbishop, Perth (since 2018)
Barbara Darling 31 May 2008 Bishop for Diocesan Ministries, Melbourne (2008–2009); Bishop of the Eastern Region, Melbourne (2009–2014)
Genieve Blackwell 31 March 2012 Regional Assistant Bishop, Wagga Wagga, Canberra and Goulburn (2012–2015); Assistant Bishop Marmingatha Episcopate, Melbourne (since 2015)
Alison Taylor 6 April 2013 Bishop, Southern Region, Brisbane (2013–2018)
Sarah Macneil 1 March 2014 Bishop, Grafton (2014–2018)
Kate Wilmot 6 August 2015 Assistant Bishop, South Area of Episcopal Oversight, Perth (since 2015)
Sonia Roulston 10 May 2018 Assistant Bishop, Inland Episcopate, Newcastle (since 2018)
Kate Prowd 6 October 2018 Assistant Bishop, Melbourne (since 2018)
Denise Ferguson 21 July 2019 Assistant Bishop, Adelaide (2019-2024)
Carol Wagner 22 February 2020 Assistant Bishop, Canberra and Goulburn (2020–2024)[16]
Sarah Plowman[17] 21 June 2024[18][19] Assistant Bishop and Bishop for the Northern Region, Brisbane (since 2024)
Sophie Relf-Christopher[20] 15 August 2024[20][21] Assistant Bishop, Adelaide (since 2024)
Vanessa Bennett [22] 24 August 2024 [22][23] Assistant Bishop, Canberra and Goulburn (since 2024)[22]
  • Consecration of Vanessa Bennett as Assistant Bishop of the Anglican diocese of Canberra and Goulburn
  • Genieve Blackwell, Bishop of Melbourne, Marmingatha Episcopate, preaching the sermon at the consecration of Vanessa Bennett
    Genieve Blackwell, Bishop of Melbourne, Marmingatha Episcopate, preaching the sermon at the consecration of Vanessa Bennett
  • During the presentation of symbols of episcopal ministry, Sub-Dean Anne Wentzel places the mitre on Bishop Vanessa.
    During the presentation of symbols of episcopal ministry, Sub-Dean Anne Wentzel places the mitre on Bishop Vanessa.
  • Fellow bishops prepare to lay hands on Bishop Vanessa and pray for her. On the left is Bishop Sarah Macneil and further right is Bishop Genieve Blackwell.
    Fellow bishops prepare to lay hands on Bishop Vanessa and pray for her. On the left is Bishop Sarah Macneil and further right is Bishop Genieve Blackwell.
  • Bishop Vanessa Bennett is presented to the congregation
    Bishop Vanessa Bennett is presented to the congregation
  • Newly consecrated Bishop Vanessa Bennett proceeds from the cathedral behind Dean Gavin Krebs
    Newly consecrated Bishop Vanessa Bennett proceeds from the cathedral behind Dean Gavin Krebs

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Australia's Anglicans clear way for women bishops". Anglican Journal. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ Blake, Garth (August 2012). "Women Bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia". Ecclesiastical Law Journal. 14 (3): 413–417. doi:10.1017/S0956618X12000397. ISSN 1751-8539.
  3. ^ "Victoria rebels on women bishops". The Age. 12 October 2003. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  4. ^ AAP (18 November 2013). "Anglicans elect Reverend Dr Sarah Macneil first woman bishop in Australia". News.com.au. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  5. ^ Vujevic, Alisha (10 April 2024). "One in six Diocesan, Assistant bishops a woman across Australia". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  6. ^ Sherlock, Peter (21 December 2012). "Why Anglican women can be bishops in Australia but not England". The Conversation. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Division remains after way cleared for female bishops". ABC News. 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  8. ^ Brown, Malcolm (30 March 2012). "Jensen begs off as deputy consecrates woman bishop". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  9. ^ Baird, Julia (15 September 2023). "Kay Goldsworthy is flying to Sydney. She won't be an archbishop when she lands. Argh, men". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Australia's first woman diocesan bishop consecrated". ACNS Anglican Communion News Service. 4 March 2014.
  11. ^ Brown, Malcolm (30 March 2012). "Jensen begs off as deputy consecrates woman bishop". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Assistant Bishop Carol Wagner's Consecration | Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn". anglicancg.org.au. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Vanessa keeps 'home' close to heart during consecration as bishop". Goulburn Post. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Our History | Newcastle Anglican Since 1847". Newcastle Anglican. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  15. ^ The Anglican Church of Australia. 2021. “Directory.”
  16. ^ "Anglican News | Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn". anglicancg.org.au. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Appointment of Assistant Bishop". Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  18. ^ "The Reverend Canon Sarah Plowman". Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  19. ^ The Consecration of The Reverend Canon Sarah Plowman as Bishop and Synod, 21st June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  20. ^ a b "Sophie Relf-Christopher named as new assistant bishop in Adelaide". Guardian (Anglican Diocese of Adelaide). 11 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  21. ^ St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide (15 August 2024). Consecration as a Bishop of the Venerable Sophie Isobel Relf-Christopher - Thursday 7th August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ a b c Short, Mark "Pastoral Letter: Appointment of New Assistant Bishop", The Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Read aloud in churches Sunday 6 May 2024, sent to all churches and ministry units.
  23. ^ Felsbou, Hannah (17 June 2024). "Melbourne vicar becomes Canberra bishop". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 19 June 2024.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Fry, Alex D. J. 2024. Gender Inequality in the Ordained Ministry of the Church of England: Examining Conservative Male Clergy Responses to Women Priests and Bishops. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • St Mark's National Theological Centre (Australia). 2014. Taking Stock: The Joy and Challenge of Ordained Women in the Anglican Church of Australia. Canberra: St. Mark's National Theological Centre.
  • Smith, Christine A. 2013. Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping & Encouraging Female Pastors. 1st ed. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press.
  • Lindsay, Elaine, and Janet Scarfe. 2012. Preachers, Prophets and Heretics: Anglican Women’s Ministry. Sydney: UNSW Press.
  • Porter, Muriel. 2008. Women in Purple: Women Bishops in Australia. Mulgrave, Vic.: John Garratt Publishing.

See also

[edit]
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