Melbourne Synod on its second attempt elected Philip Freier, Bishop of the Northern Territory to be their Archbishop. It is fair to say that this popular figure from the Top End faces a momentous task when he moves south in December.
The Age journalist Barney Zwartz wrote that the diocese "has just gone through two bruising election synods that have deepened divisions" and that the role of Archbishop of Melbourne was called by one [unnamed] bishop "the most difficult for an Anglican in Australia".
"It is into this context that the new Archbishop steps, and he will have to offer leadership that is taken seriously by the wider world or else the Church will continue to be marginalised by the wider society," commented Bishop Andrew Curnow.
Bishop Curnow is an astute observer of the Anglican scene in Australia and there would be few who could speak with more authority on the Melbourne diocesan election, since before he became Bishop of Bendigo, he was Bishop of Melbourne's Northern Region and also the diocesan Registrar.
To what was he referring? Simply put, the division and disunity within Melbourne Diocese, as well as a growing indifference and decline in adherence to the Anglican Church by the wider community of Melbourne.
Bishop Curnow said, "In 1960 just on one-third of Melbourne's population counted themselves as nominally Anglican, but the last Census showed that had dropped to just over 12 per cent, and was continuing to fall."
While there are pockets of growth in "Bible Belt' eastern suburbs, "in the city as a whole, the size of the Church and its influence on society is shrinking." Added to this, Curnow spoke of the deepening factionalism in Melbourne. Historically, divisions in Melbourne were between Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics, "but now," he said, "there are factions within the two broad groupings and even those who would regard themselves as non-aligned. Sadly, electoral Synods in Melbourne galvanise the unity of the factions but, overall, the outcome is to see the diocese more divided than ever."
So if Curnow's comments are apt " and there is no reason to doubt them " Philip Freier does have a daunting job ahead. He is generally, and genuinely, regarded as non-aligned, that is, he is friendly to all groupings within the Anglican Church of Australia, and the creature of none.
He sees this differently. After his election many reporters and their contacts called him non-aligned and commented on his ability to work with Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals.
He said, "I was somewhat surprised by this. I have tried to treat everyone decently, it's nothing remarkable, but the normal and Christian way to approach people. I have tried to work with everyone and to value and support their ministries."
Philip Freier is not unaware of the division within his new diocese. "We Anglicans have to theologise carefully about diversity," he said. "There are two Biblical models of diversity: the Tower of Babel and Pentecost. What we have to understand is that our diversity must be used in the service of the gospel."
Whenever curriculum vitae are prepared, some brief statements about episcopal candidates' personal lives are included. Information about Philip Freier said: "He is married to Joy and has two adult children." Melbourne Anglicans will soon learn that Philip and Joy Freier have a strong commitment to what they believe God calls them to do together.
"But we don't talk about "a shared ministry'. Joy doesn't try to do my job, and I don't see her as an extension of me and my ministry." Joy Freier has a strong sense of the dignity of "lay vocation', working herself as a lay Christian rather than as a bishop's wife in a quasi-clerical role.
Now 51, Philip Freier could be Archbishop for 19 years. We should pray that God will enable him to fulfil what Bishop Curnow sees as the high hopes for Melbourne's Archbishop, "that [he] can be creative and lead the diocese into a period of growth and goodwill."
