Sydney Anglicans ‘fascinating’ says controversial author

Sydney Morning Herald journalist Chris McGillion said he finds the politics of Sydney Diocese ‘fascinating’, and first became interested in writing about it in 2002 after receiving a letter from Archbishop Peter Jensen.

At a panel discussion last month Mr McGillion, a Catholic, explained that Dr Jensen ‘gently’ pointed out the journalist seemed more comfortable writing about Catholics than Anglicans.

“I sought to correct that weakness of mine,” Mr McGillion said.

The result became his new book The Chosen Ones: the Politics of Salvation in the Anglican Church, published by Allen and Unwin.

The author said Anglicans do not write books about current events in the life of their church.

“I think the great value of the book is in hearing the voices of Sydney Anglicans,” he said. “Here was a fascinating story – a fascinating church, political and cultural story.”

The Chosen Ones examines the political landscape of the Diocese from 1993 to the end of 2004. It is described as ‘the inside story of the take over’ by conservative evangelicals, culminating in the 2001 election of Dr Jensen.

It suggests the growth of conservatism in Sydney Diocese is linked to a conservative swing in the life of the city, which is influencing the nation.

The book has been criticised for ignoring the lives of people in parishes.

Bishop of South Sydney Robert Forsyth said the book is a ‘fair and recognisable picture’ and should be treated as an opportunity to reflect.

“It shows our strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “McGillion raises questions about our involvement in society, the nature of Christian politics and the integrity of our public statements, for example.”

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