- Canon Darling will be consecrated as a bishop on 31 May in St Paul’s Cathedral
First woman bishop appointed in Victoria
MEDIA RELEASE
25 April 2008
The Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier, has announced
the appointment of Canon Barbara Darling as an assistant bishop in the
Diocese of Melbourne. She is currently the vicar of the parish of St
James’, Dandenong.
Canon Darling (60) is only the second woman to be made a bishop in
Australia, following the recent appointment of Archdeacon Kay
Goldsworthy as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Perth. Canon
Darling will be consecrated as a bishop on 31 May in St Paul’s
Cathedral, Melbourne.
The members of Archbishop in Council which met last night greeted the
nomination of Canon Darling with great warmth and affirmation across
the board, many members sharing their experiences of her as a pastor,
mentor and colleague. She was described as a steady, wise and deeply
caring individual with many gifts to offer as a bishop.
Canon Darling was among the first women in Australia to be ordained
priest in 1992 in St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. She was elected as a
canon of St Paul’s Cathedral in 1995, and appointed as an Examining
Chaplain in 1998. Before becoming the Vicar of St James’ Dandenong in
2005, she was the Vicar of All Souls’ Sandringham for almost 10 years,
from 1995-2005, and before that she was the Minister in Charge and then
Vicar of St Paul’s with All Saints, Ascot Vale, from 1989-1995.
She has many years experience as a teacher, including six years at
secondary level, and 14 years as a lecturer at Ridley theological
College, Melbourne. Her qualifications include an MA from the
University of Melbourne, a BA and a Diploma in Education from the
University of Sydney, and a Licentiate of Theology with First Class
Honours from Ridley College, Melbourne.
In announcing the appointment, Dr Freier said that he believed Canon
Darling is a woman of “deep faith, as well as outstanding pastoral,
teaching and organisational ability,” and that he was greatly looking
forward to working with her as a member of his Episcopal team.
Canon Darling said that she was “delighted, particularly for all women
– both clergy and laity. We have been waiting many years for this
opportunity, and now, at long last, the day has arrived.”
“I felt called by God to some form of Christian ministry from an early
age, and gradually I felt called to ordination, first as a deacon and
then as a priest. I am now surprised and somewhat humbled, yet excited,
about responding to the call to be a bishop.”
She wants to be a bishop, she said, who “walks alongside people.”
“Being aware of people’s concerns, fears and doubts and helping them to
grow and develop, and to understand where God is in their lives, is
very important to me.”
She is also passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. “I
love teaching and making the Gospel relevant to people’s lives and in
the Australia of today.”
Please note:
Canon Darling will be taking part in and reading prayers at an Anzac
Day Service today at 11am, starting at Dandenong’s outdoor venue
‘Pillars of Freedom’, cnr of Clow St and Palm Plaza.
For further information or interviews please contact:
Jane Still on 9653 4281 or (m) 0418 627 043
The ‘hope, cope and mitre fund’
A fund has been launched to give Canon Darling a cope, stole and mitre from the women and men, lay and ordained, of this Diocese.
"We also hope to have sufficient funds to invite Bishop Penny Jamieson of New Zealand, the first woman diocesan bishop in the Anglican Communion (now retired), to be present when her friend Barbara is consecrated," said Dr Muriel Porter. "Please make a donation as soon as possible and promote the fund in your parishes."
A special fund has been started with the ADF under the auspices of MOWatch Inc. Cheques can be made to MOWatch Inc and send to the Hope, Cope and Mitre Fund, c/- Susan Sandford, 15 Edmund Street, Clifton Hill, VIC 3068.