THE ANGLICAN Church of Australia has appointed its second woman bishop in as many weeks.On April 24 the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier announced that he had appointed Canon Barbara Darling an assistant bishop of the diocese.
Canon Darling will be consecrated at St Paul's Cathedral on May 31, nine days after Archdeacon Kay Goldsworthy will be consecrated Assistant Bishop of Perth.
She told the Melbourne Age that she was “thrilled” there would be two women bishops in Australia. “It's good not to have the one token woman, though I don't think either of us has been chosen for that reason."
Dr Freier said the new bishop will differ from the other Melbourne suffragans in not having oversight of congregations. “Her initial role will be that of Bishop for Diocesan Ministries,” overseeing chaplaincies, education, youth and children's ministries, and the multicultural ministry.
While supporters of women bishops applauded the promotion, opponents reacted bitterly. Women’s activist Muriel Porter said it was difficult to “convey the excitement, the delight, the teary joy so many of us, both women and men, are feeling at the news of this historic appointment.”
Bishop Harry Entwistle, vice-chairman of Forward in Faith Australia denounced the legal sleight of hand that achieved a change in the church’s teachings without going through General Synod.
“It is hard to believe that the tactics which have been employed by the liberal bishops to secure their intended goal, have come out of a Church which prides itself on being Synodical, compassionate and offering value to all its members, and not out of a harsh dictatorial regime known for its unashamed brutality which it unleashes against those who oppose its will,” he argued.
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