Melbourne priest to become Queensland’s first woman bishop

The Anglican Archbishops of Melbourne and Brisbane, Dr Philip Freier and Dr Phillip Aspinall, have today announced that a Melbourne priest has been selected to lead the Southern Region of the Diocese of Brisbane as Queensland’s first woman bishop.

The Venerable Alison Taylor, Melbourne’s Archdeacon for International Partnerships and Vicar of St John’s Anglican Church Camberwell, has been appointed to fill the role when current Bishop, the Right Reverend Geoff Smith, takes on the role of General Manager of the Brisbane Diocese early next year.

Archbishop Freier said: “Alison Taylor’s ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne has encompassed a breadth of experience as vicar and archdeacon. I am delighted that her leadership, developed within the Diocese of Melbourne, now takes her on to this senior role in Brisbane.”

Archdeacon Taylor says that while looking forward to the new appointment, she is sorry to leave St John’s Camberwell. “I will be sad to leave the people of St John’s, but I’m confident they will soon find a new vicar to lead them into their 150th anniversary year in 2013,” Archdeacon Taylor said.

Her senior appointments following ordination included chairing Anglican Overseas Aid (formerly Anglicord). In 2009, Archdeacon Taylor was personally invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to be a member of the Steering Group for the newly created international Anglican Alliance for Development Relief and Advocacy. Archdeacon Taylor has also served as Archdeacon of Kew in the Eastern Region of Melbourne.

Archdeacon Taylor will be consecrated Bishop in St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane at 10am on Saturday, April 6, 2013.