A Tiny Voice in a Changing Church: The Diocese of the Southern Cross

In the landscape of Australian Anglicanism, where faith meets contemporary values, the Diocese of the Southern Cross has emerged as a new voice (albeit one you've likely not heard of). Founded in September, 2021, under the guidance of former Archbishop Glenn Davies, this breakaway Anglican diocese stands apart from the broader Anglican Church of Australia, particularly on contentious topics like the interpretation of scripture and attitudes towards marriage equality.

One of the strangest aspects of the Diocese of the Southern Cross is its size: just seven churches. In a country boasting over 2,000 Anglican churches, it's like trying to start a party with a handful of guests—intimate, determined, but not exactly a rave. Critics might jokingly suggest their congregation count resembles more of a Sunday morning book club than a religious movement making waves.

Financially, the diocese operates on a shoestring budget, pulling in a total revenue of $46,520.00 according to the ACNC. While that might sound like a decent chunk of change, when you factor in the hefty costs of running a diocese—think rent, salaries, holy water bills—it raises eyebrows about their long-term game plan.

Central to the Diocese of the Southern Cross's story is its close ties with the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a conservative bloc within Anglicanism. GAFCON preaches a strict adherence to traditional biblical interpretations, which often rubs most people and more progressive Anglicans the wrong way.

Detractors of the Diocese of the Southern Cross argue that while they're big on doctrinal purity, their narrow focus risks leaving a broad swathe of Australians out in the cold. In a country where the majority supports same-sex marriage, their stance might feel a bit like bringing a VHS tape to a Netflix party—outdated and a tad out of touch with the times. It begs the question: why hasn't the broader Anglican Church learned from this divide after nearly three years? Perhaps it's less about the faithful and more about the powerful few clinging to their comfy chairs.

Ultimately, the Diocese of the Southern Cross is a strange manifestation to the evolving face of Anglicanism, proudly waving the flag for conservatism in a world that's moving forward faster than a toddler with a new bike. Its small size, modest bank account, and penchant for GAFCON's teachings position it less as a giant wave crashing through Australian Anglicanism and more as a vocal side note, challenging the status quo one pew at a time. As Anglicans continue debating tradition versus progress, the fate of the Diocese of the Southern Cross remains up in the air. Will they rise to prominence or fade into history like an iPhone 4? Only time—and maybe a few divine nudges—will tell.

Given the lack of significant interest in this breakaway Diocese, it's clear that the church isn't fracturing over the issue of marriage equality. It's crucial for the Anglican Church of Australia to acknowledge this reality and redirect attention to more pressing priorities, such as enabling the blessing and full affirmation of our marriages. The irony in this tale is that Davies received little support from his Anglican community and had to recruit former ministers from the Uniting Church to fill roles in this "clear division" though I doubt people are lining up to join this splinter group—a small band of prehistoric's preaching fundamentalist theology on a Sunday. Oh, I'm already nodding off at the mere thought of it.

This week, the Anglican Church Southern Queensland finalized the wording of its apology to LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families. However, the absence of explicit endorsement for marriage equality and concerns regarding LGBTQIA+ individuals' role in ordained ministry serve as reminders that mere tolerance does not meet the mark of complete acceptance. As voices within the church push for greater inclusivity, the challenge remains for Anglican leadership to translate apologies into concrete policies that uphold the dignity and rights of queer Christians.

Meanwhile, the pressure is mounting on LGBTQ+ communities to turn up the volume on their voices, urging bishops to listen up and step forward. After all, if Jesus walked into a GAFCON gathering today, would he high-five the Glenn Davises or kick back with those spreading love like it's going out of style? It might be time to rethink these old-school labels and create a space where everyone feels at home, especially those who've been waiting far too long to hear their love song sung from the pulpit.

Image Source: gafconaustralia.b-cdn.net