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Australia's next Governor-General, Archbishop Dr Peter
Hollingworth, has banned outspoken US church leader Bishop John Shelby Spong
from preaching in Anglican churches in Brisbane. Bishop Spong, 68, a proponent of gay clergy who has questioned many of the church's central doctrines, is visiting Australia on a book tour. He will be welcomed in Perth and Adelaide Anglican dioceses, but will not be allowed to speak or officiate in Brisbane. He will speak at functions sponsored by the local Sea of Faith network, including a public address at the Albert St Uniting Church. A Brisbane Anglican spokesman confirmed the decision by Archbishop Hollingworth, who will be delivering his final address to the diocesan synod at the time of Bishop Spong's visit. Sea of Faith spokeswoman Deborah Price said she was disappointed by Archbishop Hollingworth's decision. Bishop Spong said he was not concerned by the ban. "It never bothers me when I run into that response," he said. It also is believed Bishop Spong has had withdrawn an invitation to speak at the second International Festival of Philosophy, Science and Theology in Grafton, NSW. Bishop Spong does not take literally the virgin birth and the resurrection, and he believes St Paul may have been a repressed homosexual. He retired in January after 25 years as bishop of the Episcopal Church. |