From today's (Feb 6) Letters page at the SMH:

Anglican Church's only obsession is with Christ

February 6, 2006

I am greatly puzzled by James Pilkington's claim that Archbishop Peter Jensen and the Anglican Church are obsessed with such issues as homosexuality, swearing, drinking, and the like (Letters, February 4-5).

I have been a regular member of an Anglican congregation for more than 14 years. On Saturday I was ordained as a deacon in the diocese of Sydney. In my discussions with Dr Jensen and, indeed, with many of the men and women serving in Anglican congregations, I see people who are obsessed with promoting Jesus Christ. I read the diocesan mission statement, framed under Dr Jensen's leadership and embraced by virtually every Anglican church in the Sydney diocese, and find that churches are aiming to glorify God by proclaiming our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. I see no reference to homosexuality, swearing, drinking or any other issues mentioned by Mr Pilkington.

In the recent Boyer Lectures given by Dr Jensen, he took neither homosexuality nor premarital sex as his theme. Rather, I heard him talking quite plainly about Jesus.

So how does Mr Pilkington find Dr Jensen and others obsessing about these other matters? Could it be that the media, social commentators and certain lobbyists are the obsessed? It seems to me that many speak from a distinct lack of familiarity with both Dr Jensen and the Anglican Church in Sydney.

Is it any wonder, then, that many will prejudge him and other Anglican Christians without taking a closer look?

Do Dr Jensen and the Anglican Church have the opposite concerns of Jesus?

On Saturday, 51 people were ordained or commissioned to promote Jesus Christ in Sydney. Most of them have left their jobs and lucrative careers to do so. Some of them have faced great opposition from family. Some have come to Australia as refugees and been welcomed by the diocese. Some of them are serving in multi-ethnic congregations, filled with foreigners who are overjoyed to be in church. Some are serving among the disadvantaged and economically challenged. And this is not to mention the hundreds of other clergy in the diocese engaged in these same activities and more. And they are all concerned to promote Jesus Christ.

Are Anglicans obsessed with petty issues? For heaven's sake, just take a look and see.

Reverend Dr George Athas Newtown