The Curious Amalgam
A Reflection on Inclusion and Tradition
It has been exactly a fortnight since the Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland made history with the ordination of the 2025 cohort at St John’s Cathedral. Since that day, the conversation has moved from the celebration in the pews to a deeper reflection on the shifting tectonics of the global Church.
This week, I received a fascinating note from The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG. In his reflection, he captured the irony of the current moment—observing that the progress in Brisbane has highlighted a strange convergence of conservative forces elsewhere.
— The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
Kirby’s phrase, the “rare amalgam,” perfectly describes the current religious landscape in Australia. On one hand, we have the Brisbane Diocese moving decisively toward a lived reality of inclusion. On the other, we see two groups that are historically theological rivals—Rome and Sydney—forming an unlikely “amalgam” in their shared resistance to these changes.
The Divergent Paths of 2025
While Brisbane celebrates the ordination of women and those in same-sex marriages, other centers of power are doubling down on traditionalist structures.
| Theological Path | Brisbane Anglicans | The “Rare Amalgam” (Rome & Sydney) |
|---|---|---|
| Women Deacons | Fully Ordained & Empowered | Prohibited / Traditionally Opposed |
| LGBTQ+ Inclusion | Focused on Integrity & Marriage Rights | Strict Adherence to Traditional Gender Roles |
| Core Philosophy | Evolution of “Faithfulness in Service” | Preservation of Sacred Tradition / Scriptural Literality |
As I explored in my book and recent research paper, the success of the Brisbane movement is not an accident. It is the result of a rigorous theological evolution that prioritizes a Christ-like expectation of faithfulness and integrity over rigid, exclusionary definitions of “chastity.”
Progress often reveals the hidden boundaries of the past. As we approach Christmas, the contrast could not be clearer. Brisbane has chosen a path that reflects the diverse, inclusive community it serves. While the “amalgam” of the traditionalists remains, the doors that were opened on December 6th cannot be easily closed.
Dive deeper into the legal and theological work behind this change:
