AUSTRALIA
ABC News
The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle is today meeting to vote on a new bishop, after a previous vote failed to reach consensus.
Five candidates, including a woman, nominated for the last vote in March, to replace the retired bishop Brian Farran.
This time round the Northern Territory bishop Greg Thompson is the only candidate vying for the role.
Assistant bishop of the Newcastle Diocese Peter Stuart says about 300 clergy and lay people from across the diocese will attend the Synod to vote. …
Synod discusses sex abuse
The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle held its ordinary session of Synod yesterday, with topics of discussion including sexual abuse in the church and same sex marriage.
Bishop Peter Stuart told the gathering the reality is abuse by clergy and lay people is part of the Diocesan story.
He said the church needs to accept and come to terms with the reality that trusted people preyed on vulnerable members and the Church failed to see it.
“We have people who were members of our Anglican family telling us how, as children, serious sexual assault was perpetrated against them by respected clergy and/or laity,” he told the Synod.
“Their recollections are profoundly heartbreaking.
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