Photo Credit: Joe Giddens
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop of Adelaide Geoff Smith, is currently on sabbatical and out of the country. The Acting Primate of Australia, Archbishop of Melbourne Philip Freier, expressed his deep sadness over the death of Her Late Majesty the Queen.
He said: “the Queen was much-admired and respected by millions of Australians
“My prayers are with the King and the Royal Family at this time as they grieve the loss of a mother and grandmother.
“We pray also for the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen.”
Archbishop Freier also paid tribute to the Queen’s service and faith, saying: “The Queen’s life was one of service and dedication to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for which we thank God.
“We remember her too as a faithful Christian and leader of the Church of England whose faith gave her the courage, resilience and her strong ethic of service to others.
“We remember with gratitude the grace with which she performed her duties, a steadfast and reassuring figure through decades of tremendous change and times of both hardship and joy.
“As frequent visitor to Australia the Queen had a special place in the hearts of Australians and she leaves behind a truly extraordinary legacy, having touched the lives of so many.
“May Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rest in peace and rise in glory.”