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A number of high-profile Anglican and Presbyterian Christian leaders have spoken in support of the new Diocese of the Southern Cross, defending it as a true expression of Biblical Anglicanism.

In a recent episode of The Pastor’s Heart, host Dominic Steele interviewed Glenn Davies, the former Archbishop of Sydney, Richard Condie, the Bishop of Tasmania and Chair of conservative Anglican movement GAFCON Australia, as well as Foley Beach, primate and archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, and Rev. Jennifer Hercott.

The guests pushed back against criticisms of the new diocese. They insisted that it was only because of the extreme rejection of traditional and biblical positions by others within the Anglican Church in Australia that it was necessary to form such a “lifeboat” diocese.

While revisionist critics are trying to marginalise the new group, there are suggestions that it will enjoy widespread acceptance.

In Communion

During the conversation, Bishop Condie suggested that the Tasmanian Diocese would likely vote to be in full fellowship with the new diocese. Steele mentioned that a similar motion had been put forward in the hugely influential Sydney Diocese.

Said Condie:

“… there will be very strong relationships in the Anglican Church of Australia with the Diocese of the Southern Cross, whether that’s acknowledged by our governance structures or not…”

As Rev. Mark Powell has noted in his recent article, high-profile Presbyterian leaders have also endorsed the move, going so far as to offer Presbyterian property and facilities for use by the new diocese.

The Rev. Dr Peter Barnes called the split “a strong stand for biblical truth”, while incoming Moderator-General Rev. David Burke and former Moderator-Generals Rev. Dr John Wilson, Rev. David Cook, Rev. David Jones, Rev. Professor Allan Harman, Rev. Bruce Christians, Rev. Robert Benn and Rev. Bob Thomas all endorsed the Diocese of the Southern Cross.

Please continue to pray that Biblical Christianity would be endorsed by Christian leaders around the country. Pray for grace and wisdom for those who are leading or joining the new Anglican Diocese of the Southern Cross.

For more details, see my previous article.