Genieve Blackwell

Genieve Blackwell
Nationality Australian
Occupation Anglican bishop
Spouse(s) John Silversides
Children Baith Silversides, Harry Silversides

Genieve Blackwell is a bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia currently serving as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. She was the first woman to be consecrated as a bishop in the state of New South Wales and the third in Australia. She was consecrated on 31 March 2012 and commissioned as Regional Bishop of Wagga Wagga at a service held in St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.[1][2][3][4][5] Blackwell was also the Rector of the parish of Turvey Park, a suburb of Wagga Wagga.

On 19 December 2014 it was announced that Blackwell had been appointed an assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne with oversight of the eastern region,[6] to commence in mid 2015.

Early life and family

Blackwell is the daughter of a Methodist minister. She was born in Western Australia and her family subsequently moved to the Wagga Wagga district. She is married to John Silversides and has two children, Baith and Harry.

Training and ministry

After attending the University of Sydney, where she became an Anglican, Blackwell studied at Moore Theological College from 1989 to 1992 and ministered in the parishes of Gulgong and Grenfell. She moved to Yass in 2005, becoming an archdeacon about three years before being consecrated as a bishop and was given the additional responsibility of ministering to diocesan clergy during the drought.[7]

Most of the Anglican Church in Australia has embraced the ordination of women as priests and bishops, although a notable opponent has been Peter Jensen, a former Archbishop of Sydney.[8][9]

Wikinews has related news: First female bishop in NSW and Canberra consecrated

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Malcolm (31 March 2012). "Jensen begs off as deputy consecrates woman bishop". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  2. ↑ Byrne, Elizabeth (2 April 2012). "First female Anglican bishop for NSW, ACT". ABC News (ABC). Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Diocesan statement
  4. ↑ NSW Parliamentary tribute
  5. ↑ McKenny, Leesha (12 December 2011). "Bishop designate is listening to her Boss". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  6. ↑ Diocese of Melbourne Media Release
  7. ↑ NSW ShParliamentary tribute
  8. ↑ Speers, Jodie (12 September 2012). "Claims feminism has set men back". 7 News / Yahoo. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  9. ↑ Overington, Caroline (6 October 2012). "The good fight". The Australian. Retrieved 8 October 2012.