Women bishops praised by Anglican Primate

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia on Nov. 23 offered his praise for women bishops in Australia.

In the twentieth year since the first ordination of female priests in Australia, The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall said he is proud of what has been achieved since 1992.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey to get to this point and while there are still some who take a contrary view, I am pleased to see the journeys of women priests now reaching into some of the highest levels of clerical office in Australia,” Dr Aspinall said.

“These include Bishops Barbara Darling from Melbourne, Genieve Blackwell from Wagga Wagga and Kay Goldsworthy from Perth, all of whom exercise greatly valued ministries and are excellent role models.”

This statement of support from the Australian Primate comes as the General Synod of the Church of England in the UK has voted not to allow women to become bishops.

While the Anglican Church of Australia and the Church of England are closely related, they are governed separately and function independently of each other.

“It has now been over four years since the Australian church paved the way for women bishops and I hope that one day soon the Church of England will also benefit from the ministry of bishops who are women.” Dr Aspinall said.

Archbishop Aspinall called on Anglicans in Australia to pray for the Church of England as it moves through this difficult period.