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Australia's first woman bishop
By Market-Place
April 17, 2008

PIONEER: Soon to be Australia's first woman bishop, Kay Goldsworthy, comes to the new position with leadership experience. Already diocesan administrator, she runs Perth Diocese when Archbishop Roger Herft is away.

Pioneer priest breaks new ground, again

A long-serving pioneer of women's ministry, Archdeacon Kay Goldsworthy, will become Australia's first woman bishop next month.

One of the nation's first handful of women ordained priests in Perth in 1992, Kaye Goldsworthy, 51, will be consecrated a bishop in St George's cathedral on May 22.

Archdeacon Goldsworthy said she was both humbled and deeply honoured by the appointment.

"Australia has been a while catching up, but our time has come, and I know that the great majority of Australian Anglicans will warmly welcome this day," Kay Goldsworthy said.

"Indeed, I am conscious of many other Christians, not to mention people of other great religious traditions, who are simply delighted that leadership in the Church can be shared in this way.

"On a more personal note and putting my natural fears and sense of inadequacy to one side, I am trying to trust the Church discerning me as a bishop, and I simply rely on God's grace as I face the future."

After working as a school chaplain, parish priest, Cathedral canon and archdeacon in Perth, Kaye Goldsworthy also represented the Australian church on the international umbrella body for the Anglican church, the Anglican Consultative Council.

Perth's Archbishop Roger Herft, announced the appointment of a new regional bishop for Perth Diocese 11 April, days after the national bishops'conference in Newcastle agreed on a set of protocols to introduce the change.

The archbishop said the appointment of Kay Goldsworthy, who's currently serving as Perth's diocesan administrator, came with the unanimous endorsement of the Diocesan Council.

"In making this announcement I am delighted that we in the church of Perth continue our unwavering commitment to Christ's gospel by recognising women and men as equal partners in the world," Archbishop Herft said.

"Her previous experience within the Diocese, including terms as school chaplain, canon of the Cathedral, parish priest, and archdeacon means she is one of the best qualified priests to take on this role at this stage."

"Kay has proved herself as a very gracious, caring and humble spirited individual," he said.

"The way she has conducted herself at the national and international level on these matters augers well for the gifts she brings to our team."

The timing of the consecration service next month, means Perth's new bishop will be able to attend the Lambeth bishops conference in July.

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