The Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, has been welcomed by Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia. During March, he has visited the dioceses of Sydney, Perth, Adelaide  and Brisbane. He had visited Melbourne earlier in February during his extended visit to the Oceania region. The programme has involved meeting with local Bishops as well as Diocesan staff and clergy, South Sudanese diaspora community meetings, preaching at many Anglican services and learning more about the mission and ministry of the Anglican church in a province that incorporates 23 dioceses across the nation. 

The Diocese of Sydney

Bishop Anthony visited the historic city of Sydney where he visited Moore Theological College and met with the Right Reverend, Bishop Michael Stead and the Principal and Vice-Principal of the college, Reverend Doctor Mark Thompson and Simon Gillham, who is also Head of Mission, Ministry & Mission.

Moore College has been preparing men and women for a life-time of Christian ministry for more than 150 years and describes their mission as the provision of “ideal preparation for the opportunities and challenges of being Christ’s ambassadors in the twenty-first century.”

During his time in Sydney, Bishop Anthony also met with Reverend Doctor John Deane, the Executive Director of the Anglican Board of Mission office as well as members of the board and wider team. The ABM is the official channel through which Australian Anglicans participate in mission, both locally and internationally.

The Diocese of Perth

In Perth, the Secretary General was hosted by the Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy, the Archbishop of Perth, and her husband Jeri. Education is a key priority in the diocese and Anglican education is one of the largest groupings of non-government schools in Western Australia. Archbishop Kay is Chair of the Anglican Communion Schools Network. The Secretary General met with representatives from the Western Australian Anglican Schools Association including Peter Laurence, CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission in Western Australia and heard more about the vision for education in the region. 

Archbishop Kay stated, "It was with anticipation and joy that we welcomed Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Office to Perth recently and I was especially delighted to observe his fellowship with the South Sudanese communities during his time with us in Perth."

During the Secretary General’s itinerary, time was also built in for meetings with South Sudanese communities in the region. He attended a special celebratory service and consecration of a new building, Saint Monica’s, for a large Dinka-speaking South-Sudanese diaspora congregation. St Monica’s is the second building to be purchased for the growing South Sudanese community in Perth. He also visited and preached at Holy Trinity Malaga, a Bari-speaking congregation in Perth.

The Right Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion (far left) is pictured with The Most Revd Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy (second from right) and other church leaders during a visit to the Diocese of Perth.
Photo credit: Anglican Church of Australia

The South Sudanese diaspora in Australia is a community that has grown significantly, largely due to humanitarian migration from South Sudan, with many settling across Australia after living in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.

Bishop Anthony was born in South Sudan and is a former Bishop of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji, so his time with the South Sudanese communities was a time of mutual encouragement. 

Bishop Anthony reflected, “It was a profound joy to be with different South Sudanese diaspora communities in Australia over the past two weeks. Their witness to the Gospel, formed through perseverance and faith, is a powerful reminder of the vitality and diversity of our Anglican Communion.”

During his visit to the Diocese of Perth, Bishop Anthony preached at St George’s Cathedral in Perth before continuing his journey onto Adelaide.

The Diocese of Adelaide

Hosted by the Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, Primate of Australia and Archbishop of Adelaide, and his wife Lynn, Bishop Anthony continued to visit Anglican churches in the region of Adelaide, including meetings with Diocesan staff, clergy and other South Sudanese diaspora congregations and share in fellowship and dialogue with them.

Archbishop Geoffrey Smith reflected, "I was pleased to host Bishop Anthony during his recent time in Adelaide. I know that the churches and communities that he visited in Adelaide were encouraged by his words and uplifted by his fellowship." 

The Right Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, addresses the Bari Congregation Community of Faith in South Australia.
Photo credit: Anglican Church of Australia

A representative from the Bari congregation of Saint Luke’s Anglican Church in Adelaide, the Reverend Samuel Mori, shared how inspired and touched they were at Bishop Anthony’s visit. He stated, “we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Anthony Poggo for his recent visit to South Australia. Despite his demanding schedule, he took the time to acknowledge and encourage his flock. His presence among us was not only a historical moment but also a wonderful blessing that renewed our faith and commitment to God’s mission. Bishop Anthony’s visit rekindled the spirit of unity and purpose within our congregation, reminding us of the journey we embarked upon since his last visit in 2016. That encounter motivated and inspired us, leading to the founding of St Luke’s Anglican Church Bari Congregation. Today, we stand as a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of the wider Church.”

The Diocese of Brisbane

Bishop Anthony continues his visit in Brisbane, meeting with Justice Debra Mullins AO, a member of the Anglican Church in Australia's representative to the Anglican Consultative Council and Chancellor for the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. Bishop Anthony will continue meetings in the Brisbane area prior to his journey to the National Bishops’ Meeting in Busselton next week.

Reflecting on the tour of dioceses in Australia, the Secretary General said:

“My time spent with my Australian sisters and brothers in Christ was both inspiring and uplifting. I am always so heartened to see how individual churches are striving and succeeding to meet the needs of their individual communities. I give thanks for their ministry and for the grace of being able to share in fellowship with them once again. I look forward to continuing with my trip in the region and joining the National Bishops’ Meeting of the Anglican Church of Australia, in Busselton.” 

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