Anglican Service to Pray for 'Damaged Diocese'

ABC News
October 22, 2012

www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-22/anglican-service-to-pray-for-27damaged-diocese27/4325950


There is ongoing unrest in parts of Newcastle's Anglican Diocese in the wake of the defrocking of three priests.

A group is planning a service to pray for what they call a damaged diocese.

Newcastle Anglican Bishop Brian Farran recently defrocked three priests including the former Dean of Newcastle, Graeme Lawrence.

Another priest was sanctioned.

No criminal charges have been laid and the priests deny all sexual abuse allegations.

Central Coast priest John Gumbley was also defrocked in 2010 for liaisons with a woman.

A supporters group is now planning to hold a healing service next Sunday.

It says the diocese is broken and damaged after controversial leadership from the Bishop, Cathedral and Anglican Professional Standards group.

The ABC has been told Mr Gumbley is promoting the healing service.

Bishop Farran says there are a vocal few who resist transparency and a change of culture.

He says if there is any identifiable turbulence relating to the decisions it is in the minds of those who continue to resist transparent professional behaviour by priests.

Bishop Farran says the gathering unfortunately indicates there is still a long way to go within the thinking of some to bring them to the benchmarks of community expectations about the behaviour of priests

Father Max Eggert, who will preside over the service, says he understands the Bishop Brian Farran is not supporting it, but he believes that is not relevant.

"I understand although I haven't seen it that the Bishop has sent a communication to all his parishes," he said.

"I don't know whether that's true and I certainly because of the work in my own community not seen it, but that's absolutely irrelevant.

"This is a service of healing and forgiveness so whatever the Bishop has said or not said is neither here nor there."

Father Eggert says the priests and clergy involved are feeling isolated by the church.

"These poor individuals have had their priesthood taken away from them and one of them has been a priest for 40 years," he said.

"So it is a real sort of wrenching.

"We need a service to put our hurt before God and receive healing and forgiveness."