Newcastle Anglican Diocese Ordinations

23 May 2018

On 10 May, I was honoured to be present at an historic occasion at Newcastle's Christ Church Cathedral as the Anglican Church appointed two new assistant bishops, including the first woman bishop to serve in the diocese of Newcastle. In an episcopal ordination featuring bishops from across Australia, Sonia Roulston and Charlie Murry were ordained to work alongside Bishop Peter Stuart. The appointments represented two firsts: It is the only time the diocese has had more than one assistant bishop, and it is the most senior role a woman has ever held in the 171 years of the diocese. Assistant Bishop Roulston trained for ministry at St John's Theological College, Morpeth; has served in many parishes in the Newcastle Diocese; and, prior to her installation, was the Archdeacon of Newcastle. Originally from north Queensland, Archdeacon Murry joined the diocese in 2010 from Brisbane. Before his appointment, he was Archdeacon for the Upper Hunter. I take this opportunity to formally congratulate Assistant Bishop Roulston and Assistant Bishop Murry on their history-making appointments.