Diocese of the Southern Cross: A Concerning Silence on Child Safety?

The Diocese of the Southern Cross (DSC), a relatively new breakaway group from the Anglican Church of Australia, has recently come under scrutiny regarding the transparency of its child safety policies. An article published in The Melbourne Anglican on September 13, 2022, highlighted the absence of any readily available information on the DSC's website concerning its approach to child protection. While a spokesperson for the diocese, Michael Kellahan, stated that safe ministry measures were in place and would "expand as the diocese grew," specific details about these measures were not provided.

This lack of transparency prompted me to reach out to the DSC directly. As someone who has researched and written extensively on the Anglican Church of Australia’s Faithfulness in Service code, including a recently completed book and a related blog post, I felt it was important to understand the DSC's policies in this critical area. On May 17, 2025, I sent an email to the DSC registrar, inquiring about the existence of any child protection policies, codes of conduct, or safe ministry guidelines similar to Faithfulness in Service. I requested information on how to access these documents or, at the very least, a summary of the DSC's approach to safe ministry.

As of today, over a week has passed, and I have yet to receive a response. This silence is deeply concerning, particularly in light of the history of child sexual abuse within religious institutions in Australia and the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission's report emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability, and proactive measures to protect children within religious organizations. It also highlighted the dangers of prioritising an institution's reputation over the safety and well-being of children.

Given these factors, the DSC's lack of publicly available information and its failure to respond to a direct inquiry raise serious questions. Why is there no mention of child safety on the DSC's website? What specific measures are in place to protect children within DSC congregations? And why has the diocese not responded to a simple request for information?

Transparency regarding child safety policies is not optional; it is an essential requirement for any religious organisation that seeks to earn and maintain the trust of its members and the wider community. Accountability is paramount, and proactive measures must be implemented to create a safe environment for children. The Diocese of the Southern Cross must prioritise child safety and provide clear, accessible information about its policies and procedures. Silence is not an acceptable response to concerns about child protection.

I urge readers to share this blog post to raise awareness about this important issue. I also encourage you to contact the Diocese of the Southern Cross directly to request information about their child safety policies. Finally, please consider supporting organisations that advocate for child protection within religious institutions. The safety and well-being of children must always be our top priority.