13. Mrs Elaine Langshaw asked -

The Sydney Morning Herald of 9 October 2004 reported that the Archbishop found the style of worship he had experienced in St George's Cathedral, Perth at the General Synod Service to be "alienating", "divisive", and representing "one particular strand of Anglicanism that contradicted not just my theology but my spirituality."

(a) Is this report a substantially accurate report of what the Archbishop told the General Synod?

(b) If so, will the Archbishop please clarify, for the sake of all members of the Synod -

(i) which elements of the service he found alienating and divisive, and why?

(ii) whether there are any parishes in the Diocese he will not visit because he does not find their theology, spirituality, and/or "strand of Anglicanism" edifying to him personally.

To which the President replied -

(a) As is so often the case with reports in the media, the comments as reported represent a decontextualised and one-sided view of the matter. The debate was about lay administration and many of those present are likely to have experienced only one form of contemporary Anglican liturgy. My aim was to remind them of the sharp theological and spiritual differences that exist in order to help them see why we may contemplate lay administration. In introducing these remarks, I indicated carefully that they were not a personal attack on the President and that for many people a visit to Sydney or some other evangelical centre would understandably provoke the same reaction.

(b) (i) The points of difference between strands of Anglicans practice are to do with dress, names of objects and liturgical actions as well as the underlying theology of the presence of Christ.

(ii) I am of course happy to visit any parish in the diocese to which I am invited provided I am able to do so.