New Ballarat Anglican bishop appointed

By Pat Nolan
Updated November 2 2012 - 4:39pm, first published June 10 2011 - 10:12am
Ballarat Anglicans have a new bishop at last.
Ballarat Anglicans have a new bishop at last.

ALMOST one year after Anglican Bishop Michael Hough stepped down from his position as head of the church in Ballarat, his replacement has finally been announced.Right Reverend Garry Weatherill, currently the Anglican Bishop of Willochra near Port Augusta in South Australia, will be enthroned in November this year.Applications for the position had been closed for more than six months while the board made its decision.The former bishop’s resignation took effect in December last year following months of speculation since misconduct allegations were made against him in late 2008.Speaking on his appointment, Bishop Weatherill acknowledged the dark times that had plagued the diocese in the recent past, but hoped for more positive times in the future.“I know that the Diocese has been through a dark time, but I hope and pray that together we can be authentic disciples and apostles of Jesus and continue to build on all the good of previous years,” Bishop Weatherill said in a statement yesterday.“I’m very excited about coming to join the clergy and people in the Diocese as we rejoice in the abundant life that is Jesus’ promise to us.”Euan Thompson, spokesperson for the Ballarat Laity Against Bullying group that fought to oust Bishop Hough, said he hoped it would be a fresh start for the church.“I hope he’ll be a pastor and a leader in difficult times,” he said.“There’s never been a better time to exercise leadership than times like this. Hopefully he delivers strong pastoral care.”Bishop Weatherill has been the Bishop of Willochra for 10 years and previously worked throughout South Australia as a parish priest.

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