Breaking – Kanishka Raffel Set To Be Elected Archbishop of Sydney

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The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney have just effectively elected Kanishka Raffel, currently Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, as their next Archbishop.

The results have been published on the synod website.

Today’s meeting of the synod to confirm the final candidate is a formality. Raffel is now the only candidate on the “Final List” but still requires the ratification of the delegates meeting there. But it seems the mind of the synod is now clear.

Kanishka was born in London to Sri Lankan parents and was raised as a Buddhist. While studying law at Sydney University a friend gave him a copy of The Gospel according to John and he subsequently became a Christian. Prior to becoming Dean in 2016, Kanishka served as Rector of St Matthew’s in Perth. He is married to Cailey and they have two daughters.

Kanishka loves curry, cricket and having gelato at the beach with his family but knows no pleasure so great as sharing the news about Jesus with people who have no idea who Jesus is or how much he loves them.

Raffel was widely regarded as the most popular nominee going into this week’s synod and his election already seemed certain after the first night’s vote where he was the only candidate to get a large majority in both house (clergy and lay) in the first round.

Raffel will be the tenth Archbishop and thirteenth Ordinary of Sydney replacing Glenn Davies who retired earlier this year.

Glenn Davies (l) and Kanishka Raffel (r) (source)

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Bruce Lyon

    Congradultations. Bruce Lyon – member – Assembly of Confessing Congregations of the Uniting Church in Australia

  2. Paul Nolan

    An excellent result.
    Paul Nolan – Oft fallen but struggling Anglican

  3. David Mulready

    I am so thrilled that our Sovereign Lord has given wisdom to the Sydney Synod in selecting as Archbishop a godly and humble man who is a gifted Bible teacher, sensitive pastor and proven team leader. Kanishka has had a faithful and uncompromising ministry in other Dioceses. He is a warm and friendly person with a contagious sense of humour. He and Cailey will continue to serve the Diocese and the Australian church well in this new role.

  4. Andrew Kroiter

    I agree that this is an excellent result. But I think that Michael Stead, too, would have been an excellent choice.

    One thing that bothers me slightly is seeing the results – numbers of people voting for and against – particular β€˜candidates’. It is not the most sensitive way of letting people know who won and who didn’t! I presume that it’s a resolution of the synod that states that the result is communicated to all interested parties in this manner. But, as I said, I don’t think that it’s very sensitive. Or necessary.

    1. danielarmishaw

      Keep in mind those were to put him on the final list.

      Once he was on the list it was a unanimous result for him.

  5. Rev Fr Philip A Jesudevan

    Exceltnt ! New Divine Appointmen .Hope for Tomorow . BEST WISHE OUR PRAYERS FROM SRIANKA

  6. Ifthi Marikar

    As a non Christian I am proud and honoured to have a son of a Sri lanka as the archbishop of Sydney ,I am really happy about your achievements.

  7. jerryeziowoma

    I wish to congratulate Dean Kanishka Raffel on his election as the new Archbishop of Sydney, more Grace and Anointing for your new office. Once again congratulations.

  8. Robert Bruce

    Welcome Archbishop Raffel.
    Robert Bruce – member, Manning Bible Church.

  9. chris russell

    According to the secular press (2020), the Sydney Diocese has more than $5 billion in property assets. Who would be the best man of God to protect those assets: the hard line conservative Michael Stead or the so-called ‘more moderate’ Kanishka Raffel?

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