Tipping the Balance: Melbourne's new Archbishop Ric Thorpe and the Anglican Divide
Melbourne's new Archbishop 'likely to tip the balance' of the Anglican Church
Editorial Note: This article combines analysis by John Sandeman (originally published May 28, 2025) and reporting by Deborah Bird from Another Place to Party. We are republishing and expanding it here for our readers interested in the evolving landscape of the Anglican Church in Australia and the potential shift in its theological direction.
The election of evangelical Bishop Ric Thorpe as the new Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne is "likely to tip the balance in the House of Bishops of the National Church," according to progressive Anglican reporter Deborah Bird. This appointment is seen as a pivotal moment for the Anglican Church of Australia, with far-reaching implications for its national direction and global alignment.
An analysis of key votes in the last General Synod (national church parliament) in 2022 makes it clear that the effect of the election is significant. A conservative-leaning House of Bishops would join decisive conservative majorities in the House of Clergy and the House of Laity in the tricameral body. Previously, the General Synod had a progressive majority in all three houses, but was bound by the Anglican Church of Australia's Constitution, which has held back same-sex marriage. A change in the House of Bishops would consolidate a conservative Anglican majority.
"A motion to affirm traditional marriage has passed in two of the three houses at the Anglican General Synod (GS) being held on the Gold Coast, but has been blocked in the house of Bishops. In the House of Laity – the vote was 63-47 and in clergy 70-39, but the motion failed in the House of Bishops 10-12."
— Eternity News, 2022 General Synod coverage
The term "conservative" here refers to evangelical and anglo-catholic Anglicans who oppose same-sex marriage or same-sex blessings – current issues of the moment in the Anglican Communion. A conservative General Synod positions the Anglican Church of Australia as the sole "Anglosphere" province in the Anglican Communion aligned with the majority of the global Anglican Communion that opposes same-sex blessings and marriages.
The House of Bishops membership is also affected by the Bishop of the Murray, Keith Dalby, having stepped aside, and the resignation of the Primate (national leader) and Archbishop of Adelaide, Geoffrey Smith. It is possible that other votes might shift in either direction before the next General Synod in August next year.
Archbishop-to-be Thorpe's first significant vote will be in the election of a new Primate, by a board of electors likely in July. The diocesan bishops, 12 clergy, and 12 laity elected by the General Synod make up the board, with the clergy and laity reflecting the conservative surge at the last General Synod. All three groups, the Bishops, Laity and Clergy, each need to vote for the same candidate.
A Shift in Direction
Thorpe succeeds Archbishop Philip Freier, whose 15-year tenure was marked by commitment to regional ministry, social justice, and active engagement with Indigenous reconciliation. Thorpe's evangelical ethos will almost certainly represent a more conservative approach to doctrine and mission for the diocese of Melbourne.
As metropolitan Archbishop, Thorpe will sit on the Standing Committee of General Synod, bringing his evangelical convictions to national conversations on mission strategy, liturgical renewal, and debates over human sexuality.
An installation date will be announced shortly; until then, the Diocese remains in the hands of Acting Administrator, Bishop Genieve Blackwell.
Key Numbers & Facts
| Fact | Number / Detail |
|---|---|
| Age of Ric Thorpe | 60 |
| Years as Bishop of Islington | 10 (2015–2025) |
| Years as Rector of St Paul's, Shadwell | 10 (2005–2015) |
| Years Archbishop Freier served | 15 (2010–2025) |
| General Synod Laity Vote (2022) | 63–47 (in favour of traditional marriage) |
| General Synod Clergy Vote (2022) | 70–39 (in favour of traditional marriage) |
| General Synod Bishops Vote (2022) | 10–12 (motion failed) |
| Number of Bishops abstained (2022) | 2 |
| Next General Synod | August 2026 |
| Current Acting Administrator | Bishop Genieve Blackwell |
| Bishop of the Murray (status) | Keith Dalby (stepped aside) |
| Primate/Archbishop of Adelaide (status) | Geoffrey Smith (resigned) |
Women in Anglican Leadership (Australia)
Eighteen of Australia's 23 dioceses do not have a woman in the role of Diocesan Bishop or Assistant Bishop, according to statistics drawn from diocesan websites on 8 March 2024.
Of the 38 Diocesan or Assistant bishops, 32 are men and six are women. Australia has one woman serving as archbishop, and four men.
Bishop Sarah Plowman was appointed to Brisbane in July 2024.
Progressive Christian Perspective
As a progressive Christian voice, we believe this appointment signals a potential shift away from the social justice priorities of the previous Archbishop. The emphasis on traditional marriage doctrine and opposition to same-sex blessings raises concerns about the Diocese of Melbourne's future engagement with LGBTQIA+ inclusion and broader human rights issues.
We will be closely monitoring how this impacts the Diocese's commitment to Indigenous reconciliation, social justice advocacy, and the pastoral care of all God's children, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, as highlighted above, is another critical concern.
The statistics on women in leadership within the Australian Anglican Church are appalling. How can the church claim to be progressive when such a significant portion of its leadership remains male?
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