The
Anglican Diocese of Melbourne is the
metropolitanIn Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital...
diocese of the Province of
VictoriaVictoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales to the north, South Australia to the west, and Tasmania to the south, across the Bass Strait. Victoria is the most densely populated state, with over 70% of...
in the
Anglican Church of AustraliaThe Anglican Church of Australia, a member church of the Anglican Communion, was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
. The diocese includes the urban cities of
MelbourneMelbourne is the capital city and most populous city of the State of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne city centre is the anchor of the larger geographical area and statistical division known as the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area – of which Melbourne is...
and
GeelongGeelong is the second largest city in the state of Victoria, Australia and is the largest regional centre in the state. It is a port city with an urban population of 160,991 people, and one of the largest provincial cities in Australia...
and also some more rural areas. The cathedral church is
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourneclass="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 28em; font-size: 90%; clear: right" cellspacing="3"| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger;" | St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne...
. The Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend
Philip Freier Philip Leslie Freier is the 13th Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne,a position he has held since 16 December 2006.Freier was born on 9 February 1955 in Brisbane and raised as a Roman Catholic. He was educated at the Queensland University of Technology and was a science teacher for six years...
, was previously the Bishop of
the Northern TerritoryThe Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory covers Australia's Northern Territory and is part of the Province of Queensland in the Anglican Church of Australia. The cathedral church of the diocese is Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin. The current Bishop of the Northern Territory is the Right...
and was installed on 16 December 2006.
The Diocese of Melbourne is divided into three regions with their own bishop: the Southern Region, the Eastern Region and the North-West Region.
ChurchmanshipWithin Anglicanism the term churchmanship is sometimes used to refer to distinct understandings of church doctrine and liturgical practice by members of the Church of England and other churches of the Anglican communion...
within the Melbourne diocese is diverse and the three principal Anglican traditions,
EvangelicalEvangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s.Most adherents consider its key characteristics to be: a belief in the need for personal conversion ; some expression of the gospel in effort; a high regard for biblical authority; and an emphasis on the...
,
LiberalLiberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onwards...
and Anglo-Catholic, are all significantly represented.
The existence of such differing traditions within the diocese is sometimes a cause of tensions.
The
Anglican Diocese of Melbourne is the
metropolitanIn Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital...
diocese of the Province of
VictoriaVictoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales to the north, South Australia to the west, and Tasmania to the south, across the Bass Strait. Victoria is the most densely populated state, with over 70% of...
in the
Anglican Church of AustraliaThe Anglican Church of Australia, a member church of the Anglican Communion, was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
. The diocese includes the urban cities of
MelbourneMelbourne is the capital city and most populous city of the State of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne city centre is the anchor of the larger geographical area and statistical division known as the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area – of which Melbourne is...
and
GeelongGeelong is the second largest city in the state of Victoria, Australia and is the largest regional centre in the state. It is a port city with an urban population of 160,991 people, and one of the largest provincial cities in Australia...
and also some more rural areas. The cathedral church is
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourneclass="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 28em; font-size: 90%; clear: right" cellspacing="3"| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger;" | St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne...
. The Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend
Philip Freier Philip Leslie Freier is the 13th Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne,a position he has held since 16 December 2006.Freier was born on 9 February 1955 in Brisbane and raised as a Roman Catholic. He was educated at the Queensland University of Technology and was a science teacher for six years...
, was previously the Bishop of
the Northern TerritoryThe Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory covers Australia's Northern Territory and is part of the Province of Queensland in the Anglican Church of Australia. The cathedral church of the diocese is Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin. The current Bishop of the Northern Territory is the Right...
and was installed on 16 December 2006.
Regions
The Diocese of Melbourne is divided into three regions with their own bishop: the Southern Region, the Eastern Region and the North-West Region.
Theological traditions
ChurchmanshipWithin Anglicanism the term churchmanship is sometimes used to refer to distinct understandings of church doctrine and liturgical practice by members of the Church of England and other churches of the Anglican communion...
within the Melbourne diocese is diverse and the three principal Anglican traditions,
EvangelicalEvangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s.Most adherents consider its key characteristics to be: a belief in the need for personal conversion ; some expression of the gospel in effort; a high regard for biblical authority; and an emphasis on the...
,
LiberalLiberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onwards...
and Anglo-Catholic, are all significantly represented.
The existence of such differing traditions within the diocese is sometimes a cause of tensions. The difficulty with which an archbishop was elected in 2006 provided a recent example.
Theological colleges
The diocese contains two
theological collegesA seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of higher education for instructing students , sometimes at the postgraduate level, in philosophy, theology, spirituality and the religious life, to prepare students for ordination as clergy or other ministry...
which prepare men and women for
ordinationIn general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
and other forms of ministry.
Trinity CollegeTrinity College Theological School is part of Trinity College, the oldest college of the University of Melbourne. The school was founded in 1878 by Bishop James Moorhouse for the purpose of training a 'learned and dedicated clergy'...
, founded in 1878, is located on the grounds of the
University of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia, and the oldest in Victoria...
and is more Liberal and Anglo-Catholic in tradition. Ridley Melbourne, located in Parkville, was founded in 1910 in the
EvangelicalEvangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s.Most adherents consider its key characteristics to be: a belief in the need for personal conversion ; some expression of the gospel in effort; a high regard for biblical authority; and an emphasis on the...
tradition. Trinity College is affiliated with the
Melbourne College of DivinityThe Melbourne College of Divinity is a theological college located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.The MCD is a significant instance of ecumenical cooperation between Australia’s denominations. It is located in Kew, Victoria. It is affiliated with the University of Melbourne.The college was...
and the
University of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia, and the oldest in Victoria...
and Ridley with the
Australian College of TheologyThe Australian College of Theology is a national provider of theological education. The college was one of the first Australian non-university providers to offer an accredited bachelor's degree and a research doctorate. The number of graduates since the foundation of the college stands at 14,200...
.
Issues
The Diocese of Melbourne has been affected by issues that have been debated in the worldwide
Anglican CommunionThe Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches. There is no single "Anglican Church" with universal juridical authority as each national or regional church has full autonomy...
. The theological diversity of the diocese means that there is sometimes disagreement over more contentious matters. In addition, it is frequently perceived that there is a significant tension between the theologically broad Melbourne diocese and the far more conservative
Sydney dioceseThe Diocese of Sydney is a diocese of the Anglican Church of Australia. The majority of the diocese is Evangelical and low church in tradition and committed to Reformed and Calvinist theology....
.
Ordination of women
The diocese has ordained women to the diaconate since 1986 and to the priesthood since 1992. The September 2007 decision of the Appellate Tribunal opening the way for the consecration of women to the episcopate was welcomed by the present archbishop, Dr Philip Freier. General Synod approved a motion in October 2007 which welcomed the "clarity" of the decision. Melbourne's first female bishop, Canon Barbara Darling, was consecrated at St Paul's Cathedral on May 31 2008. Female bishops are opposed by some within the diocese, particularly conservative Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics, necessitating the provision of
alternative episcopal oversightA provincial episcopal visitor in the Church of England is a bishop assigned to minister to clergy, laity and parishes who do not in conscience accept the ministry of women priests....
.
Homosexuality
Melbourne is divided over the issue of homosexuality. Most conservatives and Evangelicals remain opposed to the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. Certain more liberal individuals, such as laywomen
Muriel PorterMuriel Lylie Porter OAM is an Anglican laywoman based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Porter is the author of several books, including the controversial The New Puritans: the rise of fundamentalism in the Anglican Church. She is also a frequent contributor to The Age newspaper, where she...
, have been very vocal in their support for changes in the church's attitudes towards homosexuality.
Abortion
In November 2007, the Diocese of Melbourne made a submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission outlining its position in relation to abortion. The submission stated that "the Anglican Church is for life" and acknowledged "diversity of ... views" within the diocese. However it also declared that the diocese "supports the provision of safe and affordable abortions with appropriate safeguards for women who, for whatever reasons, request them." The underlying ethical view concerning embryonic life is that
- "while the embryo/foetus is fully human from the time of conception, it accrues moral significance and value as it develops... we believe the moral significance increases with the age and development of the foetus. The significance increases gradually over time, in parallel with its physical development. As a pregnancy advances, more powerful moral reasons are required to allow the destruction of the embryo/foetus."
The submission was announced in
The Melbourne Anglican, in an article entitled "Decriminalise abortion, say Anglican women". This submission was strongly opposed and a petition containing 600 protest signatures was delivered in March. Shortly after this, an extensive critical response to the submission was prepared by the Melbourne Anglican Study Group.
List of Bishops and Archbishops of Melbourne
- Charles Perry
Charles Perry was the first Anglican bishop of Melbourne.-Early life:Perry was the third son of John Perry, shipbuilder, by his second wife, Mary, daughter of George Green, was born at Hackney, Middlesex. He was educated at Harrow, where he played in the school eleven, and was a contemporary of...
, 1847-1876
- James Moorhouse
James Moorhouse was an Anglican bishop of Melbourne and of Manchester.-Early life and career:Moorhouse was born in Sheffield, England, the only son of James Moorhouse, a book-lover and master-cutler, and his wife Jane Frances née Bowman...
, 1876-1886
- Field Flowers Goe
Field Flowers Goe was an Anglican Bishop of Melbourne.-Early life:Goe was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, England, the only son of Field Flowers Goe, a solicitor, and his wife Mary Jane. Goe was educated at the King Edward's Grammar School, Louth and later at Hertford College, Oxford where he...
, 1887-1901
- Henry Lowther Clarke
Henry Lowther Clarke was the fourth Anglican bishop and first archbishop of Melbourne, Australia.-Early life:...
, 1903-1920 (Archbishop from 1905)
- Harrington Clare Lees
Harrington Clare Lees was the Anglican archbishop of Melbourne from 1921 until his death.-Family:Lees was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England, the eldest son of William Lees, a cotton farmer and Justice of the Peace, and his wife, Emma . Lees married twice, firstly to Winifred May,...
, 1921-1929
- Frederick Waldegrave Head
Frederick Waldegrave Head MC & Bar was Anglican archbishop of Melbourne, Australia.Head was born in Tollington Park, London, the son of the Rev. Canon George Frederick Head and his wife Mary Henrietta, née Bolton. Educated at Alton School, Plymouth, Windlesham House, Brighton, Repton School and...
, 1929-1941
- Joseph John Booth
Joseph John Booth was the 7th Archbishop of Melbourne. Born on 26 May 1886 and educated at the University of Melbourne he was ordained priest in 1914. His first post was as a Chaplain to the Forces during The Great War. When peace came he became Vicar of Fairfield, Victoria followed by a period...
, 1942-1956
- Frank Woods
Frank Woods KBE Frank Woods KBE Frank Woods KBE (6 April 1907 - 29 November 1992 was an English-born Anglican bishop. He became the Archbishop of Melbourne and the Primate of Australia....
, 1957-1977
- Robert William Dann
Robert William Dann was the 9th Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne. He studied for ordination at Trinity College at the University of Melbourne and was ordained in 1946. His first post was as Director of Youth and Religious Education within the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne...
, 1977-1983
- David John Penman
David John Penman was the 10th Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne. Born on 8 August 1936 and educated at the Universities of New Zealand and Karachi he was ordained priest in 1961. His first post was as a Curate at Wanganui from 1961-1964, followed by a decade of missionary work in the middle east...
, 1984-1989
- Keith Rayner
Keith Rayner AO was the 11th Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne. He was born on 22 November 1929 and educated at the Church of England Grammar School , Brisbane and the University of Queensland. He was ordained priest in 1953...
, 1990-1999
- Peter Watson, 2000-2005
- Philip Leslie Freier
Philip Leslie Freier is the 13th Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne,a position he has held since 16 December 2006.Freier was born on 9 February 1955 in Brisbane and raised as a Roman Catholic. He was educated at the Queensland University of Technology and was a science teacher for six years...
, 2006-present
See also
External links