Q&A with Cathedral Canon, parent, advocate for LGBTI people and sci-fi fan, The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon
Spotlight Q&A
Meet Selina McMahon and find out about her current ministry, faith journey and best childhood memory and her thoughts on Reconciliation, Advent and clergy self-care
Where do you currently live and where do you worship?
I live in the Ipswich area, and I worship with the St John’s Cathedral community, where I am a minor Canon.
The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon (second from left), with St John’s Cathedral team members Alison, Judy
How long have you been involved in the Anglican Church and in what roles?
I have been involved in the Anglican Church for over 35 years, both as a licensed lay reader in England, and as a deacon and priest. I have served in ordained ministry for more than 20 years. I have served as an assistant priest, rector and school chaplain.
What does your role involve?
I currently serve as the Rainbow Outreach Coordinator for the St John’s Cathedral community. Part of the role involves educating the wider Church about LGBTI matters. I am also a single point of contact for LGBTI people who require support or counselling. I also serve on various secular governance bodies to bring a Church perspective for LGBTI people.
What has been one of the highlights of your time in your current role?
When I was asked to bless the Rainbow Garden of Remembrance at an Eagle Farm park in June this year. The garden commemorates all Rainbow community members who have died, so their loved ones have a space to remember them.
The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon blessing the Rainbow Garden of Remembrance at an Eagle Farm park in June 2024
What projects or activities are you currently working on in your role?
I have just started putting together a set of resources to help equip parishes with best-practice information, so they know how to fully affirm LGBTI people. I also engage in counselling with LGBTI people who have been traumatised by Church leaders and congregation members across different denominations. I am surprised by the number of people who contact me traumatised because they have been told that they are going to hell just for being gay.
“I have just started putting together a set of resources to help equip parishes with best-practice information, so they know how to fully affirm LGBTI people,” (The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon)
What does the Anglican Church Southern Queensland’s apology to gender- and sexuality-diverse people mean to you?
I see this apology, given by Archbishop Jeremy on behalf of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland, as an important start to a process where the Church rights wrongs of the past.
Can you tell us a little about your Christian faith journey?
I grew up in a Roman Catholic household, attending church every week with my family. I converted to Anglicanism in my 20s while I was at university studying astrophysics. I felt the call to ordained ministry in the early 1990s. However, I put the further study on hold until my children were a little older. I completed my degree in theology and pastoral studies and was ordained in 2003. I moved to Australia in 2016 with my family seeking a different type of ministry.
What is your favourite part of Advent and why?
My favourite part of Advent is always Nine Lessons and Carols because it emphasises the imminency of Christ’s arrival (and the singing is out of this world).
How does your Christian faith inspire you and shape your outlook, life choices and character?
This is difficult to answer — when you have been a Christian all your life, you don’t know of an alternative outlook. Being a Christian makes me more empathetic, and this shapes my choices.
What are the primary strengths of the Church and what is the best way to make the most of these for the benefit of our communities?
One of the strengths of the Church is that it is diverse, while also united in the main — other points of view exist, and we seek to understand the point of view or at least respect the person’s right to hold it.
The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon gathered with other community members for the blessing of a Rainbow Garden of Remembrance in June 2024
What are some of the practical things you do to promote self-care and mitigate the risk of burnout?
I diarise time off. I run five times a week. I keep my leisure and work spaces separate.
What is your favourite Bible scripture and why?
Hosea 6.6: “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice” because it reminds us that Church practices and protocols should not override what is most important, and that is loving our neighbour.
What person of faith inspires you the most and why?
Hildegard of Bingen, whom I wrote about for anglican focus in 2020. She was a real polymath — she was a scientist, musician, theologian, poet, artist, playwright and physician, among other things.
Why is it important for Christians to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards Reconciliation?
Because harm has been done. It’s that simple. Christians should be seeking to right the wrong that has been done to First Nations peoples, just as the Church is beginning to right the wrong that has been done to LGBTI people.
What is the bravest or kindest gesture you have ever received or witnessed?
When I announced to the congregation that I was transitioning, I was overwhelmed with love and acceptance as their Rector.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received and who gave you this advice?
“Don’t be afraid to take a risk”. An IT project manager I worked for many years ago gave me this advice.
What do you do in your free time to recharge and relax?
I run, learn the cello, do stand-up comedy and build things with Lego.
If you found yourself on a deserted island, what three things would you choose to have with you?
A speedboat, petrol and GPS device.
What book have you given away most as a gift and why?
A Priest’s Handbook: The Ceremonies of the Church by Dennis Michno. I have given it to all my student curates when priested. I was given it when I was priested. It gives all the information and background that priests need for liturgy.
The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon preparing liturgical robes in the Cathedral vestry in September 2024
Where do you do your best thinking?
Staring out the window during the daytime.
What’s your best childhood memory?
Watching Apollo 13 return to Earth on the black and white TV in the family’s lounge.
What is your karaoke go-to song?
“Don’t stop me now” by Queen.
If you are having a bad day, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
I watch Doctor Who — any series.
What is the most surprising thing that has happened to you recently?
Potatoes I recently planted in an old car tyre spotted much quicker than I expected.
The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon enjoys gardening
What day would you like to re-live and why?
It was December 1999, and I was about to go to our office Christmas party, and it was announced that I had just won a new car in a raffle.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would that be?
Steak and chips.
What item should you throw out, but can’t bear to part with?
Books I bought 30 years ago that I still have not gotten around to reading.
What’s your unanswerable question — the question you are always asking yourself?
I wonder why it does that?
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