One of Sydney's tireless advocates for Aboriginal ministry, the Rev John McIntyre has been appointed Bishop of Gippsland.
The appointment was announced in the Victorian diocese yesterday.
He will take up the role in February 2006, replacing the Rt Rev Jeff Driver, who was elected Archbishop of Adelaide in May.
Mr McIntyre, 54, has been Rector of South Sydney parish (St Saviour's, Redfern and St James', Beaconsfield) since 1990.
During his 15-year tenure, Mr McIntyre has fostered the growth of a wide range of ministries to the inner city, with a particular outreach to the marginalised Indigenous population in Redfern.
Mr McIntyre admits he has been experiencing "a rollercoaster of emotions' at the news.
"It's never been an ambition of mine to be a bishop," Mr McIntyre told Sydneyanglicans.net, saying his first reaction was disbelief when the nominators approached him.
After getting over the surprise, he is filled with "quiet excitement at the ministry opportunities' that lie ahead.
"Integrity is one of the most important aspects of leadership in ministry," he said.
"I will hope to maintain Christian integrity and inspire people to be thinking about new ways of ministry, challenging them to really glorify Jesus. There will be a great need to listen to a community I haven't been a part of before.
"I see the role as one of an encourager, supporter and challenger, to be a witness to Jesus Christ and to inspire people to do the same."
Together with his wife Jan, he feels a "deep sadness' about leaving the close-knit community in Redfern.
"It's going to be hard for them and for us," he said. "They've seared themselves in our hearts.
"The only thing that convinced us to leave was that this was a call from God."
Mr McIntyre is a well-known advocate of women's ordination within the Anglican Church and says he is keen to enhance Gippsland Diocese's "good track record' of promoting women's ordination to the priesthood.
He indicated another priority will be developing ministry to Aboriginal communities in the region.
Gippsland Diocese links Anglicans from Phillip Island in the South-West of Victoria to Mallacoota near the NSW border.
The Diocese has close links with its companion diocese, Gahini in the Episcopal church of Rwanda.
The Archbishop of Sydney Dr Peter Jensen has congratulated Mr McIntyre on the appointment.
“I offer my warm congratulations to John," Dr Jensen said.
"I am sure that members of Sydney Diocese will join me in offering our prayers and good wishes for his leadership in Gippsland."
Mr McIntyre was converted at the age of six at the 1959 Sydney Billy Graham Crusade. After studying at Melbourne University and a short career as a fork-lift driver and volunteer youth worker, he entered Ridley College in Melbourne.
After ordination in 1977, he served in the parishes of Dandenong and Thomastown for six years before returning to Ridley to lecture in Evangelism, Ethics, Old Testament and Pastoral Studies, during which time he served at Port Melbourne parish.
He has been a member of the Sydney Standing Committee for the last six years. He is a foundation member of the Sydney Anglican Indigenous People's Ministry Committee, which was constituted in 1997.
He and his wife Jan have three adult children.
The service of Consecration will take place in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne at 11am on Saturday 11 February 2006 and will be followed by the Installation in St Paul's Cathedral, Sale on Saturday 18 February at 11am.
