from WhyRick
Three of the Sydney Diocese’s senior ministers – the rectors of the three Cathedrals – have spoken out on why Rick Smith should be the next Archbishop.
Their statement follows last week’s commendation of Mr Smith from the outgoing and incoming principals of Moore College: John Woodhouse and Mark Thompson.
Sandy Grant, Bruce Morrison and Phillip Jensen, who serve at the Cathedrals in Wollongong, Parramatta and Sydney’s Central Business DIstrict, have 87 years of parish ministry experience between them, with two of them serving on Standing Committee.
Senior Minister of St Michael’s Cathedral Wollongong, Rev Sandy Grant, says Rick is biblically and theologically driven, who grasps clearly the big picture of the gospel of Christ.
Senior Minister of St John’s Cathedral at Parramatta, Rev Bruce Morrison, says he has confidence in Mr Smith to manage the finances of the diocese and confidence that Rick will be able to make wise, strategic appointments.
Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, Phillip Jensen, says we need the man who will lead generational change and Rick as the leader of the next generation is the best man for the job.
Philip Jensen is promoting the need for a new, younger leader and he says that Rick Smith should be that person. But Glen Davies is only in his early 60’s.Which seems to be the ideal age for the job especially as Glen is so well qualified. No doubt Glen would appoint Rick as a Bishop and they could be a great team. We should not be obsessed with age. That is to be sucked into a secular obsession with youth.
Thanks for the comment John.
I think the response you will get to your statement “Glen [sic.] … is only in his early 60’s” is that the normal retirement age is 65 – doesn’t leave much time to do the work. Also, some of Sydney’s greatest Archbishops were installed as relatively “young” men.
I don’t think it’s an obsession with age, more a recognition that perhaps we underestimate some because of their age.
I don’t think there is any such thing as a “normal retirement age”anymore. Life expectancy has increased dramatically. If Bishops could go beyond 70 then perhaps Peter Jensen could stay on. Or is he over the hill?
I don’t think there’s any suggestion by anyone that Peter Jensen is “over the hill” as you put it.
But when it comes to “normal retirement age” the diocese has followed the generally received pattern around us of 65. It then granted Jensen an extension
68, David. With a possible extension to 70. In the Ordinance. Not 65. Just saying.
thanks Justin. To help our readers, exactly which Ordinance is that?
Hi David. Sorry for being late. Retirements Ordinance 1993. http://www.sds.asn.au/site/102059.asp?ph=cp#7 See 4. ii. And 5. i. I think thats right.
Thanks Moff. Appreciate you doing the donkey work on that. For our readers (is there anyone left at this stage in the thread?!):
I stand entirely corrected.
I think I’ve also spotted where my confusion arose. Pursuant to 5(1)(a)(ii), Jensen’s extension was voted on when he passed 65 – but his retirement age at the moment was still 68 years (re 4(2)).