The Rev Peter Lin was consecrated as Bishop of the George’s River Region by Archbishop Glenn Davies, at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday 30th May.

Mr Lin is one of the youngest bishops in the history of the Diocese and only the second of Chinese descent.

Georges River is one of the five regions of the diocese and has undergone transformation into one of Sydney's most multi-cultural areas. Suburbs such as Marrickville, Lakemba and Bankstown, once with predominantly Anglo-Saxon populations, are now multi-ethnic. 

Clergy and congregants from across the Georges River area, and bishops from around Australia packed the Cathedral, and the multi-cultural broadcaster SBS, covered the event for its world news bulletin(watch the report).

“Peter has a heart for bringing the gospel to people of all nations and all levels of society. He is an able expositor of the Word of God, a fine pastor of God’s people and a good administrator. I welcome him to the Episcopal team and believe he will make a significant contribution to the work of the gospel in the diocese of Sydney,” Dr Davies said.

“Peter is Australian-born Chinese, and while he fully understands the Australian culture he is also very much aware of the needs of migrants coming to this country, as his grandparents were. He has a heart for ministry which crosses cultures and ethnic divides with the unifying gospel of peace.” the Archbishop said.

Mr Lin, who is 47, was rector of the Anglican Church at Fairfield with Bossley Park, where he had worked since 1999.

After the Bishop of Western Sydney, the Rt. Rev. Ivan Lee, he is the second bishop of Chinese descent. “More than half of population of the Georges River region is from a non-English speaking background” Mr Lin said.

“I’m keen to help Anglican churches better serve and reach out into their areas and to see more of our church communities reflect the people around them. The message of God’s love in Jesus is for all nations.” 

The Rev Ray Galea, the rector of Multicultural Bible Ministries at Rooty Hill, and one of Bishop Lin’s mentors, spoke from John 21 about Jesus’ miracle as the disciples were fishing.

Referring to the multicultural nature of the new bishop’s region, Mr Galea said “The beauty of the Georges River region is that there is so many species of fish to go fishing for - from Mediterraneans to middle easterners, from Chinese to Chileans, from Kenyans to Colombians, from Anglos to Aboriginals. I think Peter Tasker (the previous bishop) said ‘If there’s a people group in Australia, you will find it in this region’.”

Speaking of the urgency of mission, Mr Galea told Bishop Lin and the congregation “This is vital work, this is urgent work - moving men and women, boys and girls from death to life through the proclamation of Jesus christ and Him crucified.”