Archbishop Jeremy Greaves Installed at St John’s Cathedral in a service blending ancient traditions and modern sensibilities
Local
The tenth Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane was Installed at St John’s Cathedral yesterday before a 1,000-strong congregation in a service blending ancient traditions and modern sensibilities, signalling the style of the Diocese’s new leader, The Most Rev’d Jeremy Greaves
The tenth Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane was Installed at St John’s Cathedral yesterday before a 1,000-strong congregation in a service blending ancient traditions and modern sensibilities, signalling the style of the Diocese’s new leader, The Most Rev’d Jeremy Greaves.
The bishop’s staff, or crozier, that Archbishop-elect Jeremy used in customary fashion to knock on the closed front doors before entering the Cathedral is a family heirloom, having been used by his British-born grandfather, Bishop Walter Baddeley.
Bishop Baddeley, who served as the Bishop of Melanesia when the Japanese forces occupied the archipelago in 1942, ran an underground jungle hospital that treated Melanesian locals and US troops during World War II, including during the brutal Battle of Guadalcanal. He later served as the Bishop of Blackburn in the UK and was awarded the US’ highest civilian honour, the Medal of Freedom, for his World War II efforts.
The black polished wood and silver crozier has been returned to Bishop Baddeley’s Brisbane-based family for Archbishop Jeremy’s use by the current Bishop of Blackburn, The Right Rev’d Philip North.
The crozier that Archbishop-elect Jeremy Greaves used in customary fashion to knock on the closed front doors before entering the Cathedral is a family heirloom, having been used by his British-born grandfather, World War II hero Bishop Walter Baddeley (16 December 2023)
The new Archbishop said that the highlight of the day was walking through the eucalyptus smoking ceremony, led by Uncle Gavin Tyson, as he climbed the Cathedral’s front stairs holding his grandfather’s crozier.
“It was incredibly significant and moving when the Traditional Owners welcomed me as I walked up the front stairs because it connected me to various places I have worked and reminded me of the graciousness of First Nations peoples,” Archbishop Jeremy said after the service.
The new Archbishop said that the highlight of the day was walking through the eucalyptus smoking ceremony, led by Uncle Gavin Tyson, as he climbed the Cathedral’s front stairs (16 December 2023)
Breaking with tradition, the Archbishop-elect and Anglican Schools Commission chair requested that Anglican school students, instead of the Cathedral Dean, undertake the usual Installation ceremony “interrogation” after he knocked on the Cathedral’s front doors with the crozier.
Cannon Hill Anglican College student Ethan Malouf, 12, was one of two students who welcomed the Archbishop-elect.
“It was a privilege to be invited to greet him and say something in the service — he was friendly and we smiled at each other, and I am never going to forget it,” Ethan said.
The students’ questions ended with: “How do you come among us and with what confidence?”
The Archbishop-elect replied, “I come, despite my fears, trusting in the love of God, knowing that the Christ walks beside me and the Spirit surrounds me with grace to give me courage.”
Cannon Hill Anglican College’s Primary Spiritual Leader Ethan Malouf and Canterbury College’s Spirituality Captain Georgia Westphal welcomed Archbishop-elect Jeremy Greaves and performed the customary “interrogation” at the Installation service on 16 December 2023
The Archbishop-elect was then greeted by Yagara elder Gaja Kerry Charlton, who had given the welcome to Country at the start of the service before Torres Strait Islander elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu addressed the congregation.
Aunty Dr Rose, who is from the Saibai chieftain clan, said that she was proud to accompany the Archbishop-elect from the entrance to the sanctuary area around the altar, along with Gaja Kerry and senior Anglicans.
“As a chief’s daughter, I greeted all those gathered on behalf of Torres Strait Islander peoples in both Kalaw Kawaw Ya and English, and then felt spiritually uplifted and honoured to walk with our new shepherd down the Cathedral’s aisle,” Aunty Dr Rose said.
“The new Archbishop has always loved and cared for my people — he is a friend and we trust him.
“He is coming with me to Saibai, and other Torres Strait Islands, next year so he can speak with my people about the devastating impacts of the damaged climate on our cultures, ceremonies, livelihoods and houses.
“The highlight of the service for me was the new Archbishop’s inspirational sermon about hope because it showed his authenticity and why he does what he does.”
Aunty Dr Rose Elu, who is from the Saibai chieftain clan, said that she was proud to accompany Archbishop-elect Jeremy Greaves from the Cathedral entrance to the sanctuary during his Installation service on 16 December 2023
In his first sermon as Archbishop, The Most Rev’d Jeremy spoke about what it means to work for God and about finding hope “in the darkness”.
“I know what darkness looks and feels like; the darkness of making sense of my experience of child sexual abuse, of wrestling with mental health issues, of being publicly vilified, of second-guessing decisions, of worrying about the world my children are inheriting — a world in the midst of a climate emergency that is riven by war and violence,” he said.
“I know what darkness looks and feels like — wondering where God might be, praying fervently that prayer of Desmond Tutu, ‘God, I know you are in control. I just wish you’d make it a bit more obvious.’
“What might it look like to be part of a Church, a Diocese, that knows what it means to work for the God who invites hope?
“Christian hope invites those under its influence to see possibility in everything — nothing, not even the deepest darkness, is outside the possibility of transformation.
“What does it look like for us to work for that God?
“It seems to me that we have a choice in this season in the life of the Church — we can continue to bow down in fear before the many idols we’ve created or we can help one another learn to walk in the dark.”
In his first sermon as Archbishop, The Most Rev’d Jeremy Greaves spoke about what it means to work for God and about finding hope “in the darkness” (16 December 2023)
Archbishop Jeremy has a strong background in social justice having worked closely with refugees and First Nations community members for decades, particularly during his time serving as a priest in the Northern Territory.
The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, gathered with other lay dignitaries to celebrate the Installation, along with faith leaders, including the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, The Most Rev’d Geoffrey Smith, and the Archbishop of Melanesia, The Most Rev’d Leonard Dawea.
Acknowledging the connection that his Province has with the Baddeley family, Archbishop Leonard “congratulated” Archbishop Jeremy “on behalf of the Anglican Church of Melanesia”.
“Archbishop Jeremy has all the qualities that make a good Archbishop because he is very humble, thoughtful and relational, and I look forward to working with him and strengthening our relationship and that of our Churches,” Archbishop Leonard said.
“We have a wonderful historical link with him because his grandfather was Bishop of Melanesia, and we look forward to seeing him when he visits us.”
Acknowledging the connection that his Province has with the Baddeley family, Archbishop Leonard Dawea (left) “congratulated” Archbishop Jeremy “on behalf of the Anglican Church of Melanesia” (the crucifer is Connor, son of priests Chris and Juliana Bate from The Parish of Algester)
The two-and-a-half-hour ceremony commenced at 10.30am after the Cathedral filled with 1,000 faith and community leaders, First Nations elders, school children and broader Anglican community members taking their seats as 12 bells rung across the CBD’s north.
The new Archbishop was Installed by the Cathedral Dean in the cathedra, which is derived from the Greek word καθέδρα, meaning “chair”. Because the cathedra is the bishop’s chair it is what makes a church a cathedral.
Brisbane Cathedral Dean, The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, said that the new Archbishop demonstrates the qualities of a trustworthy leader.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with our new Archbishop since he was made a Regional Bishop in 2017, and have observed that he is wise and reflective, exercises integrity and honesty in ways that cause him to be courageous, and that he cares about the vulnerable and demonstrates his own vulnerability,” Dr Catt said.
The new Archbishop, The Most Rev’d Jeremy Greaves, being installed in the cathedra, or “seat”, by Cathedral Dean, The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, with the support of ecumenical leaders, including (from far left) Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, The Most Rev’d Dr Mark Coleridge; Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, The Most Rev’d Ken Howell; Moderator for the Uniting Church in Queensland, The Rev’d Bruce Moore; and, General Secretary Of Queensland Churches Together, The Rev’d David Baker (16 December 2023)
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves is the first Archbishop in nearly 22 years, replacing Archbishop Phillip Aspinall who resigned in February. He will additionally serve as Metropolitan of the Province of Queensland, which also encompasses the Northern Territory.
The Diocese of Brisbane, also known as the Anglican Church Southern Queensland, covers an area of more than 500,000 square kilometres from north of Bundaberg to the borders of New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia.
Editor’s note: Yesterday’s Installation service may be viewed on St John’s Cathedral YouTube.
Representing the Clergy Spouse Committee, Frances Thompson (spouse of Bishop John Roundhill) presents Josie Greaves with gifts at the Installation service (16 December 2023)
The Archbishop-elect, Jeremy Greaves; the Chancellor, The Honourable Justice Debra Mullins AO; the Registrar, Tim Reid; and, the Acting Metropolitan, The Right Rev’d Dr Greg Anderson standing before Bishop Administrator Cam Venables in the sanctuary of St John’s Cathedral during the 16 December 2023 Installation service
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves (holding the Diocesan crozier) and Bishop Cam Venables in the sanctuary of St John’s Cathedral during the 16 December 2023 Installation service
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ daughter, Hannah, giving a reading at her father’s Installation service on 16 December 2023 in St John’s Cathedral
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ cousin, Andrew Baddeley, giving a reading at the Installation service on 16 December 2023 in St John’s Cathedral – Andrew brought their grandfather’s crozier from the Diocese of Blackburn in the UK to Brisbane
Bishop Daniel Abot and Nyibol Kou reading the intercessory prayers in English and Dinka at Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Installation service on 16 December 2023 in St John’s Cathedral
Yagara elder Gaja Kerry Charlton (right) gave the welcome to Country at the start of the Installation service before Torres Strait Islander elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu (left) addressed the congregation, with both elders then greeting Archbishop-elect Jeremey Greaves at the Cathedral entrance and accompanying him down the aisle to the sanctuary (16 December 2023)
The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, pictured with her spouse Professor Graeme Nimmo, joined local and international dignitaries at Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Installation service on 16 December 2023
Anglican episcopal leaders gathering at St John’s Cathedral’s high altar after Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Installation service on 16 December 2023
Pre-liturgy worship was beautifully led by the St Stephen’s, Coorparoo team, including The Rev’d Kesh Govan (front, centre), Peter Ingram, Hunter Nelson and Juliette Briner at Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Installation service on 16 December 2023
A traditional smoking ceremony, led by Uncle Gavin Tyson, on the Cathedral’s front steps welcomed all those who gathered for Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Installation service on 16 December 2023
The new Archbishop, The Most Rev’d Jeremy Greaves, being installed in the cathedra, or “seat”, by Cathedral Dean, The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, at St John’s Cathedral on 16 December 2023
