Anglican Diocese of Brisbane#Assistant bishops

In 1858, the Brisbane diocese was separated from the Diocese of Newcastle. Until then, the area had been under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Newcastle, William Tyrrell.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}

In 1859,"Consecration Of The Bishops Of Bangor, Brisbane, And St Helena", The Times, 15 June 1859, p. 10. Queen Victoria appointed the diocese's first bishop, Edward Tufnell (1814–1896).Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975-76 London: Oxford University Press, 1976 {{ISBN|0-19-200008-X}} Tufnell designated St John's Cathedral in Brisbane as the pro-cathedral. The central stained glass windows in the apse were donated by Bishop Tufnell.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}} In 1866, there was one archdeaconry: Benjamin Glennie was Archdeacon of Brisbane.The Clergy List for 1866 (London: George Cox, 1866) [https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=hIxbAAAAMAAJ&pg=GBS.PA467 p. 467] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222082601/https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=hIxbAAAAMAAJ&pg=GBS.PA467 |date=22 December 2020 }}

The second bishop was Matthew Hale, who was translated from Perth in 1876.{{cite web|url=http://www.anglicanbrisbane.org.au/uploads/images/150th/History.pdf|title=Diocese of Brisbane|access-date=27 April 2020}} Hale was succeeded by William Webber.{{cite book|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/webber-william-thomas-thornhill-9027|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=George P.|last=Shaw|chapter=Webber, William Thomas Thornhill (1837–1903) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=1 September 2018|via=Australian Dictionary of Biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818133632/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/webber-william-thomas-thornhill-9027|archive-date=18 August 2018|url-status=live}}

With the creation of the Province of Queensland in 1905,{{cite web|url=http://anglicannq.wordpress.com/registry/general-information/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809134335/http://anglicannq.wordpress.com/registry/general-information/|url-status=dead|title=Anglican Diocese of North Queensland – History|archive-date=9 August 2011|access-date=27 April 2020}} the Diocese of Brisbane became the permanent metropolitan see and its bishop the metropolitan archbishop.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}

A bishops' house called Bishopsbourne (now Old Bishopsbourne) was built in Milton {{circa|1865}} for Edward Tufnell. It was used by subsequent bishops and archbishops until Archbishop Philip Strong purchased the house Eldernell (formerly Farsley) at 39 Eldernell Street, Hamilton, in 1964, renaming it Bishopsbourne.{{cite QHR|15029|Old Bishopsbourne|600254|access-date=1 August 2014}}

In April 2007, then Archbishop Phillip Aspinall sold the Hamilton residence for $11.2 million and moved to a residence in Ascot costing $2.6 million, which has also been renamed Bishopsbourne.{{cite web|title=Bishopsbourne, Hamilton (formerly Eldernell)|url=http://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2011/03/bishopsbourne-hamilton-formerly.html|website=Your Brisbane: Past and Present|access-date=27 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205214108/http://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2011/03/bishopsbourne-hamilton-formerly.html|archive-date=5 December 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Cumming|first1=Gillian|title=Great expectations for Farsley|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/great-expectations-for-farsley/story-e6frequ6-1111113225215|access-date=27 November 2014|work=The Courier-Mail|date=26 March 2007}}

{{Excerpt|Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane|section=List of bishops and archbishops of Brisbane}}

{{anchor|Assistant bishops|Horace Dixon|Ralph Wicks|Ron Williams|Rob Nolan|Ian Lambert|Jonathan Holland|Cameron Venables|Jeremy Greaves|John Roundhill|Ray Smith}}

The first co-adjutor bishop for the Brisbane diocese was John Francis Stretch, who was consecrated at St Paul's cathedral in Melbourne in November, 1895. Stretch was the first Australian to be made a bishop for ministry in Australia (and his consecration service was only the second occasion that such a service had happened in Australia at that time)."The Queenslander" newspaper - 9th of November, 1895, page 903 Among the previous assistant bishops of the Diocese of Brisbane were: Henry Le Fanu (bishop coadjutor), who became Archbishop of Perth and Primate of Australia; De Witt Batty (coadjutor, 1930–1931); Horace Henry Dixon (consecrated 29 March 1932 at St John's; coadjutor, 1932–1961); John Hudson served as coadjutor bishop from 1961; Ralph Wicks was consecrated 27 July 1973;{{cite web|title=PHOTS192 - Photographs - The Anglican Records and Archives Centre Guide to Records|url=http://anglicanarchives.org.au/HDMS-HTML/PHOTS192.htm#PHOT03902|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409162722/http://anglicanarchives.org.au/HDMS-HTML/PHOTS192.htm#PHOT03902|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-09|access-date=2020-04-27}} Adrian Charles and Bruce Schultz were consecrated on 1 March 1983;{{cite web|title=Consecration details|url=http://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/HDMS-HTML/SPSES257.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410114708/http://anglicanarchives.org.au/HDMS-HTML/SPSES257.htm|archive-date=10 April 2013|access-date=27 April 2020}} George Browning was assistant bishop for the Northern Region, 1985–1992, then for the Coastal Region until he became Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn in 1993; John Noble and Ron Williams were consecrated on 29 June 1993 — Noble served the Northern Region until his 2002 election to North Queensland, and Williams served the Southern until 2007;{{cite web|title=Ron Williams - anglican focus|url=https://anglicanfocus.org.au/contributors/ron-williams/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831081649/https://anglicanfocus.org.au/contributors/ron-williams/|archive-date=31 August 2019|access-date=31 August 2019}} Ray Smith, Archdeacon of the Downs (Raymond Bruce Smith, not Raymond George Smith) was consecrated 1 November 1996 to serve as assistant bishop for the Western Region;{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/ANG.0412.001.0202.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204090625/https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/ANG.0412.001.0202.pdf|archive-date=4 February 2019|access-date=27 January 2020}}{{cite web|title=PHOTS192 - Photographs - The Anglican Records and Archives Centre Guide to Records|url=http://anglicanarchives.org.au/HDMS-HTML/PHOTS192.htm#PHOT05594|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409162722/http://anglicanarchives.org.au/HDMS-HTML/PHOTS192.htm#PHOT05594|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-09|access-date=2020-04-27}} Rob Nolan was consecrated bishop on 27 June 2003 and served the Western Region until 2014;{{cite web|title=Anglican Bishop Rob Nolan says his final farewell | Chronicle|url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/after-more-than-a-decade-serving-as-anglican-bisho/2177348/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831083345/https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/after-more-than-a-decade-serving-as-anglican-bisho/2177348/|archive-date=31 August 2019|access-date=31 August 2019}} and John Parkes who became the Bishop of Wangaratta.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}} Alison Taylor served as Bishop of the Southern Region from 2013 to 2017 and Sarah Plowman was appointed Bishop of the Northern Region from 2024.{{cite news|last1=Atfield|first1=Cameron|date=7 April 2013|title=Right Reverend Taylor admits she's a 'pioneer'|work=Brisbane Times|publisher=Nine Entertainment Co|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/right-reverend-taylor-admits-shes-a-pioneer-20130406-2hdw6.html|url-status=live|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217113111/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/right-reverend-taylor-admits-shes-a-pioneer-20130406-2hdw6.html|archive-date=17 February 2020}}{{cite news|last1=Porter|first1=Muriel|author-link1=Muriel Porter|date=20 July 2017|title=Bishop Alison Taylor to retire|work=The Melbourne Anglican|publisher=Anglican Diocese of Melbourne|url=http://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/news/bishop-alison-taylor-to-retire-200717|url-status=live|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217113112/http://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/news/bishop-alison-taylor-to-retire-200717|archive-date=17 February 2020}}

The current assistant bishops are Cameron Venables (Bishop of the Western Region since 2014), Sarah Plowman (Northern Region since 2024) and John Roundhill (Southern Region since 2018).

{{See also|St John's Cathedral (Brisbane)}}

The Cathedral of Saint John was completed in 2005, after 100 years of construction.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-11/100-year-construction-completed-on-brisbane/201154|title=100-year construction completed on Brisbane cathedral|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=11 November 2008|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029151128/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-11/100-year-construction-completed-on-brisbane/201154|archive-date=29 October 2016|url-status=live}}

In 2015, a series of statues, costing $45,000 each according to the ABC, were purchased and blessed by Archbishop Aspinall before being installed on the cathedral's facade.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-28/statues-raised-at-st-johns-cathedral-in-brisbane/6052432|title=Hand-carved statues raised into place at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=28 January 2015|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208064033/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-28/statues-raised-at-st-johns-cathedral-in-brisbane/6052432|archive-date=8 February 2017|url-status=live}}

Shortly before this, a storm warped one of the cathedral's walls, causing millions of dollars' worth of damage.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/st-johns-cathedrals-3-million-storm-damage-bill-20150218-13ie3d.html|title=St John's Cathedral's $3 million storm damage bill|first=Cameron|last=Atfield|date=18 February 2015|website=Brisbane Times|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031259/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/st-johns-cathedrals-3-million-storm-damage-bill-20150218-13ie3d.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/repairs-st-johns-completed/ |title=Repairs at St John's Cathedral complete - Anglican Church Southern QLD : Anglican Church Southern Queensland |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031851/https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/repairs-st-johns-completed/ |archive-date=31 July 2018 |url-status=live }}

Clergy trained in a variety of colleges and seminaries are active in the diocese. Those trained within it attend Saint Francis' Theological College,{{cite web|title=Saint Francis College|url=https://www.stfran.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403024612/https://www.stfran.qld.edu.au/|archive-date=3 April 2019|access-date=22 June 2019|website=Saint Francis College}} an affiliate of Charles Sturt University. The principal of the college is Bishop Jonathan Holland.

A motion put to the 2017 synod that would have allowed diocesan ordinands to study at the more evangelical Brisbane School of Theology, a historic "Bible college", was not carried.{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Synod-Minutes-Sunday-24-September-2017.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313121903/https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Synod-Minutes-Sunday-24-September-2017.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2018}}

The diocese has a dominant liberal Anglo-Catholic ethos. Religious orders such as the Society of Saint Francis and the Oratory of the Good Shepherd have made Brisbane their Australian base. The Society of the Sacred Advent was also founded in the city.{{cite web|title=The Anglo-Catholic Tradition in Australian Anglicanism|url=http://anglicanhistory.org/essays/hilliard1993.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606225834/http://anglicanhistory.org/essays/hilliard1993.pdf|archive-date=6 June 2011|access-date=1 September 2018}}

According to the diocesan handbook, in keeping with the Anglo-Catholic nature of the diocese clergy must always wear a stole over the cassock or alb when celebrating the Eucharist (plain clothes or business suits are not allowed).{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/old-uploads/2013/10/Diocesan-Handbook-2-November-2016-with-bookmarks.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819083105/https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/old-uploads/2013/10/Diocesan-Handbook-2-November-2016-with-bookmarks.pdf|archive-date=19 August 2018|access-date=19 August 2018}}

Archbishop Phillip Aspinall is a liberal Anglo-Catholic of the Affirming Catholicism school and gave the keynote address at the Australian Church Union's 2006 Keble Mass.{{cite web|title=Archives & Newsletters|url=http://www.acu.org.au/archive.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903070734/http://www.acu.org.au/archive.htm|archive-date=3 September 2011|access-date=1 September 2018|website=www.acu.org.au}}

Despite the dominant liberal Anglo-Catholic ethos, there are a handful of low church parishes in a few of Brisbane's southern suburbs, such as Coorparoo. However the diocese's Anglo-Catholic orientation has rarely been questioned.

The dean of the cathedral, Peter Catt, is the founder of A Progressive Christian Voice and is, according to the Brisbane Times, an advocate for same-sex marriage. He also chairs the diocese's social responsibilities committee.{{cite web|last=Morton|first=Shae McDonald and Jim|date=28 July 2017|title=Time has come for gay marriage: Queensland priest|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/time-has-come-for-gay-marriage-queensland-priest-20170729-gxl99v.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730110309/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/time-has-come-for-gay-marriage-queensland-priest-20170729-gxl99v.html|archive-date=30 July 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|website=Brisbane Times}}{{cite web|last=Catt|first=Peter|date=8 July 2018|title=It is time for churches to formally recognise same-sex relationships and marriages|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/it-is-time-for-churches-to-formally-recognise-same-sex-relationships-and-marriages-20180708-p4zq71.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717220444/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/it-is-time-for-churches-to-formally-recognise-same-sex-relationships-and-marriages-20180708-p4zq71.html|archive-date=17 July 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|website=Brisbane Times}}

The Angligreen environmental group is also a significant voice in the diocese.{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Synod-Minutes.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320123959/https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Synod-Minutes.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2018}}

Archbishop Aspinall observed that "Few Anglicans in Brisbane have any depth of knowledge of the Bible; few read or study the Bible regularly ..."The Once and Future Scriptures: Exploring the Role of the Bible in the Contemporary Church, Salem, OR: Polerbridge, 2013.

Archbishop Aspinall supported English-born Brisbane priest and Saint Francis' lecturer, Josephine Inkpin, when she came out as Australia's first openly-transgender priest. Aspinall's letter indicated he was aware "there are further transgender people involved in our wider diocesan life."{{cite web|url=http://www.anglican.ink/article/archbishops-statement-sex-change-priest|title=Archbishop's statement on sex-change priest|date=24 July 2017|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730080712/http://www.anglican.ink/article/archbishops-statement-sex-change-priest|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=dead}} Inkpin's wife, Penny Jones, was one of the first female priests in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-23/australias-first-transgender-priest/9477100|title=Meet Australia's first transgender priest|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729073743/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-23/australias-first-transgender-priest/9477100|archive-date=29 July 2018|url-status=live}} In 2020, Archbishop Aspinall supported another priest, Selina McMahon, in her transition.{{Cite web|last=Walker|first=Jamie|date=December 19, 2020|title=Church wrestles over transgender reverend|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/church-wrestles-over-transgender-reverend/news-story/78b86ce6a74b2ca379b98405c7a18fa7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222082630/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Flife%2Fchurch-wrestles-over-transgender-reverend%2Fnews-story%2F78b86ce6a74b2ca379b98405c7a18fa7&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=9e721b1a8ab2a18f14733e4a125c57fc-1608625590|archive-date=22 December 2020|website=The Weekend Australian}} The State Library of Queensland interviewed Josephine Inkpin and her wife Penny about the intersection of gender, faith, religion and identity for their Dangerous Women podcast.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/dangerouswomen|title=Dangerous Women Podcast. Episode 4.|author=Reverend Dr Josephine Inkpin|date=2 October 2020|access-date=27 May 2021}}

According to the Courier Mail, in 2015 the diocese's social responsibilities committee endorsed same-sex civil unions.{{cite web|url = http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/samesex-marriage-arm-of-anglican-church-supports-civil-unions-in-queensland/news-story/914883183990f524e74e6eee6ba1e68e|title = Same-sex marriage: Arm of Anglican Church supports civil unions in Queensland|last = Vogler|first = Sarah|date = November 7, 2015|website = courier.mail.com.au|publisher = Courier Mail|access-date = March 3, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161004134330/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/samesex-marriage-arm-of-anglican-church-supports-civil-unions-in-queensland/news-story/914883183990f524e74e6eee6ba1e68e|archive-date = 4 October 2016|url-status = live}}

A large number of priests in the diocese publicly support same-sex marriage.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}} In 2022, St. John's Cathedral announced that it would offer blessings for same-sex unions.{{Cite web |title=The doctrine of marriage in the Anglican Church of Australia – has it changed? {{!}} Anglican Ink © 2022 |url=https://anglican.ink/2022/08/26/the-doctrine-of-marriage-in-the-anglican-church-of-australia-has-it-changed/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=anglican.ink |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826232531/https://anglican.ink/2022/08/26/the-doctrine-of-marriage-in-the-anglican-church-of-australia-has-it-changed/ |url-status=live }}

According to the Courier Mail and Brisbane Times, two convicted child sexual abuser priests attended church, perform lay reader duties and worked in a choir with children at Holy Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley. This led to public outcry. Although defrocked, "they were later allowed to keep reading to the congregation as what's known as a lector." The matter was referred to the diocese's professional standards board.{{cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/church-set-to-defrock-priest/news-story/52f9511ae866f3f94d887536603a0d7e|title=Church set to defrock priest|date=10 March 2008|website=www.couriermail.com.au|access-date=22 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/pedophile-seedy-priest-teaching-kids/news-story/3b53931ee3e9c22300ed653cc7823ef4|title=Pedophile, 'seedy priest' teaching kids|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730111919/https://www.news.com.au/national/pedophile-seedy-priest-teaching-kids/news-story/3b53931ee3e9c22300ed653cc7823ef4|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/news/singing-priest-dumped/news-story/34f8b8d52c8484b01b5871204384886a|title=Singing priest dumped|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730110800/https://www.news.com.au/news/singing-priest-dumped/news-story/34f8b8d52c8484b01b5871204384886a|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/anglican-church-investigates-brisbane-parish-over-paedophile-readings-20160504-gomduw.html|title=Anglican Church investigates Brisbane parish over paedophile readings|first=Jorge|last=Branco|date=4 May 2016|website=Brisbane Times|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730110735/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/anglican-church-investigates-brisbane-parish-over-paedophile-readings-20160504-gomduw.html|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}

According to an academic paper by Jonathan Holland, Archbishop Philip Strong had opposed 13 other bishops from around the country who had spoken out against Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. Archbishop Strong had argued for National Service{{cite web |url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158420/n01_content_holland.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917183107/http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:158420/n01_content_holland.pdf |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=live }} and vigorously defended Australia's support of America in Vietnam on the grounds that "Conflict at the right time and in the right place may serve the cause of ultimate world

peace." At the same time, the priest in charge of the Chermside parish sought to dismiss curates who took a Christian pacifist stance.

According to the ABC, the diocese has close links to the legal establishment in Brisbane. This has led to public concerns about a serious conflict of interest.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-12/paul-de-jersey-accused-conflict-of-interest-abuse-law-review/9400742|title=Qld Governor faces conflict of interest claims over role in sex abuse law review|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=12 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508193736/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-12/paul-de-jersey-accused-conflict-of-interest-abuse-law-review/9400742|archive-date=8 May 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-13/doubts-raised-qld-judges-links-to-anglican-church/9417048|title=Doubts raised about Queensland judges' links to Anglican Church|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=13 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611194510/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-13/doubts-raised-qld-judges-links-to-anglican-church/9417048|archive-date=11 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-14/governors-role-in-thwarting-church-sex-abuse-reforms/9417984|title=Governor's role in thwarting church's sex abuse reforms|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=14 February 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611194330/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-14/governors-role-in-thwarting-church-sex-abuse-reforms/9417984|archive-date=11 June 2018|url-status=live}}

A conservative Anglo-Catholic parish, All Saints' Brisbane, joined the Forward in Faith movement in protest over the issue of the ordination of women and the diocese's refusal to provide alternative episcopal oversight. Archbishop Aspinall suspended the priest in charge of the parish, David Chislett, after he was consecrated as a bishop by the Traditional Anglican Communion.{{cite web|url=http://acl.asn.au/old/050524_David_Chislett.html|title=David Chislett removed from Wickham Terrace|website=acl.asn.au|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801133850/http://acl.asn.au/old/050524_David_Chislett.html|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allsaintsbrisbane.com/about_all_saints |title=All Saints Brisbane |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703224517/http://allsaintsbrisbane.com/about_all_saints |archive-date=3 July 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/conservative-anglicans-come-around-to-catholic-way-of-thinking-20091022-hbh7.html|title=Conservative Anglicans come around to Catholic way of thinking|first=Charlotte|last=Durut|date=22 October 2009|website=Brisbane Times|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821032007/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/conservative-anglicans-come-around-to-catholic-way-of-thinking-20091022-hbh7.html|archive-date=21 August 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/anglicans-dump-bishop-for-rejecting-women-priests-20050526-gdle9j.html|title=Anglicans dump bishop for rejecting women priests|date=26 May 2005|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160509/https://www.smh.com.au/world/anglicans-dump-bishop-for-rejecting-women-priests-20050526-gdle9j.html|archive-date=21 August 2018|url-status=live}} In a speech to Federal Parliament, Peter Slipper declared, "I believe that this action by Archbishop Aspinall seriously brings into doubt his moral fitness to be the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane."{{cite web|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber/hansardr/2005-06-20/0202;query=Id:%22chamber/hansardr/2005-06-20/0000%22|title=ParlInfo - ADJOURNMENT : Bishop David Chislett|website=parlinfo.aph.gov.au|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222082613/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber/hansardr/2005-06-20/0202;query=Id:%22chamber/hansardr/2005-06-20/0000%22|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/church-turns-a-blind-eye-again/news-story/e172a9d3f177aaf061894f40ddf13f0b|title=Church turns a blind eye again|date=11 April 2008|website=www.theaustralian.com.au|access-date=22 June 2019|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222082608/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Finquirer%2Fchurch-turns-a-blind-eye-again%2Fnews-story%2Fe172a9d3f177aaf061894f40ddf13f0b&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=0ff5ddbc84e698754768d8550a7434f5-1608625568|url-status=live}}

In 2009, the diocese refused to revoke an age limit for child sex abuse claims, retaining the requirement that victims must sue the church before they were 21 years of age. A victim said it showed the church was protecting its money rather than its flock.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/qld-anglicans-put-money-before-morals-sex-victim-20090622-ctwy.html|title=Qld Anglicans put money before morals: sex victim|date=22 June 2009|website=Brisbane Times|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222082617/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/qld-anglicans-put-money-before-morals-sex-victim-20090622-ctwy.html|url-status=live}} Another victim stated that "[We] sue the diocese because of the overwhelming evidence that the diocese knew about the abuse and knew about the offenders yet did nothing to stop the abuse nor prevent further abuse."

In 2015, a child abuse survivor who was threatening to sue the diocese, alleged to the Guardian newspaper that Archbishop Aspinall told him that litigation against the church would be sinful. Aspinall again denied the claims.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/09/brisbane-archbishop-told-abuse-victim-to-ditch-sinful-path-of-litigation-inquiry-told|title=Brisbane archbishop 'told abuse victim to ditch sinful path' of litigation, inquiry told|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=9 November 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730110536/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/09/brisbane-archbishop-told-abuse-victim-to-ditch-sinful-path-of-litigation-inquiry-told|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}

In 2017, the diocese failed to meet two deadlines to pay another victim the compensation they were due.{{cite web|last=Knaus|first=Christopher|date=30 September 2017|title=Anglican church failed to pay child sex abuse survivor agreed $1.5m settlement|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/30/anglican-church-fails-to-pay-child-sex-abuse-survivor-agreed-15m-settlement|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830152812/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/30/anglican-church-fails-to-pay-child-sex-abuse-survivor-agreed-15m-settlement|archive-date=30 August 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|website=The Guardian}}

At the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in March 2017 it was reported that the Diocese of Brisbane was subject to more complaints than any other Anglican diocese.{{cite web|date=17 March 2017|title=Anglican Church 'ashamed' about 1,000 complaints of child sex abuse|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/anglican-church-ashamed-child-sex-abuse-royal-commission/8363126|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504104656/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/anglican-church-ashamed-child-sex-abuse-royal-commission/8363126|archive-date=4 May 2018|access-date=1 September 2018|website=ABC News}}

In February 2018, a group of former students of the Anglican Church Grammar School called for an independent board to govern the school, saying that they no longer wanted the diocese to control church schools "amid concern about the handling of child sexual abuse cases and its dated school governance practices".{{cite web|date=9 February 2018|title=Churchie old boys tell Anglican Church to hand over schools or risk donations|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-09/old-boys-urge-anglican-church-to-hand-over-school-control/9412210|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504115001/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-09/old-boys-urge-anglican-church-to-hand-over-school-control/9412210|archive-date=4 May 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}}

The diocese has a strong ecumenical relationship with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.{{cite web |url=http://ecumenism.brisbanecatholic.org.au/documents/covenantparishresource2009.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328200319/http://ecumenism.brisbanecatholic.org.au/documents/covenantparishresource2009.pdf |archive-date=28 March 2018 |url-status=live }}

The Anglican, Roman Catholic and Uniting churches perform some collaborative ministry and the Lutheran Church of Australia has been in discussions with them. However, the diocese only recognises church denominations with an episcopal form of government. In 2002, Aspinall suggested that the Uniting Church in Australia adopt such a form of governance.{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://ecumenical.ucaqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SERC-Report-of-Meeting-2-June-2011.docx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324185951/https://ecumenical.ucaqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SERC-Report-of-Meeting-2-June-2011.docx|archive-date=24 March 2018|access-date=18 August 2018}}

According to a synod paper, between 2011 and 2016, the number of parishioners in the diocese declined by 7%.{{cite web |url=https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Annual_Return_2016_Synod.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313122220/https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Annual_Return_2016_Synod.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2018 |url-status=live }}

• Anglicare

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [http://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/ Official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091012134410/http://anglicanarchives.org.au/bishopsandarchbishops.htm Bishops and Archbishops of Brisbane at Anglican Archives]

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{{Anglican hierarchy in Australia}}

{{Anglican dioceses in Australia}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anglican Diocese Of Brisbane}}

Category:Anglican Church of Australia Ecclesiastical Province of Queensland

Category:1859 establishments in Australia

Category:Religion in Brisbane

Category:Anglo-Catholic churches in Australia