Thursday, December 15, 2011

Australia's Third Woman Bishop

And the First in NSW. Very pleased to see the Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn has appointed Archdeacon Genieve Blackwell as Assistant Bishop. It will apparently be 20 years next February since that diocese first ordained women priests. (It was the 2nd such ordination in Australia and I was present. I have always said the first, which was in Perth, was a bit far. )
At that time there were court cases as the Diocese of Sydney tried to prevent it going ahead. Apparently Sydney has been more cooperative this time.  Archdeacon Blackwell was once a student of Moore College and was taught by (now) Archbishop Jensen.
''I very much admire Genieve Blackwell,'' Dr Jensen said. ''However, I regret I am not able to take part in the service for reasons of conscience.''

The Bishop of Newcastle  will replace Jensen at the consecration. I presume the Bishop of Canberra-Goulburn Stuart Robinson will also be involved. (Do you need 2 bishops to consecrate a third?) 
I was disappointed when Bishop Robinson was appointed from the Sydney Diocese. It is amazing how some change when they move out.

Still we only have women as assistant bishops. Apparently the consecration of women as Diocesan bishops is still blocked in Australia.

6 comments:

Calamity Jane said...

Brian,
You've got to wonder how many other Sydney Anglicans would accept women clergy if they weren't under tyrannical rule...and how petty of Peter Jensen not to attend. Is God going to banish him to hell if he attends the ordination. The whole Sydney Anglican thinking is laughable!

Birdie said...

I honestly roll my eyes at where men draw the line to hold back competent women. So now it stops at Assistant Bishop? What power do we contain that must be restrained? I'll stop now, or my rant will be a chapter in a very old book.

But congratulations are due Genevieve Blackwell. Well done.

Brian R said...

Always glad to see a comment from you Birdie as I think of you each day. You are one competent woman who would make a great bishop if that was your desire. However I pray that your abilities will at the moment be devoted along with God's help to your battle with cancer.

Davis said...

You need three bishops to make one.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Alison Irving said...

Absolutely delighted. Congratulations Genevieve Blackwell. May God bless you in your work.

Cam said...

Thanks great blog post