Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

What sort of a bishop cancels his inaugural service to be with a grieving family? Bishop Philip Freier, who missed his inaugural service in 1999 after becoming Bishop of Northern Territory, to offer comfort to one of his flock, was elected last night as the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Melbourne. He is a man equally at ease in remote rural communities and engaging in world-wide church issues.

 
Bishop Freier speaks the language of indigenous affairs - literally. Happy to take services in indigenous languages, he has worked closely in ministry with indigenous people and has been a leading and articulate opponent of mandatory detention during his time as Bishop of the Northern Territory.
 
'Many Australians are unaware of issues indigenous people face,' Bishop Freier said today. 'Fundamental issues still exist about the way this country was settled, which need working out.'
 
'We urge the Australian people to approach these issues with the love for the neighbour and those who are different, in the way that Jesus taught,' he said earlier this year in a joint statement with other church leaders.
 
Bishop Freier also has a reputation for his commitment to unity in the Anglican Church in Australia.
 
'The Anglican Church is quite diverse, and Melbourne contains some of that diversity,' Bishop Freier said. 'This is a reality of living as a Christian in modern life - that we've got to work out how we, as people who profess the same Lord, are going to communicate with each other.'
 
Bishop Philip is described as astute, assured, independent and thoughtful.

Source: Anglican Media Melbourne