Anglicans flocked to St Alban the Martyr Cathedral to see the moment when Donald Kingsley Kirk became the Riverina's new bishop.
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The peal of St Alban's bells resounded through the chilly Saturday morning air as over 20 bishops and senior clergy gathered to see the consecration of Bishop Kirk.
It was a historic moment for Griffith, which will be the new headquarters of the Diocesan Registry Office and home to its very own bishop for the very first time.
Bishop Kirk's appointment comes to the relief of the Riverina diocese, which has been without a bishop since July last year.
It will come as an even bigger relief to the exhausted Father Rob Harris, who has been filling in the bishop's administrative duties while juggling his role as Dean of St Alban's.
Bishop Kirk has been friends with Father Harris for years, and he said he's eagerly looking forward to working with him and the rest of the diocese.
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"It's a delight to be here. It's a unique calling and I hope to do my best to look after the people of the diocese," Bishop Kirk said.
"I would like to see the church flourish."
He's well positioned to do just that; he's a seasoned clergyman with extensive experience in a range of roles in dioceses throughout New South Wales and Victoria including working with regional areas.
During his time in regional areas Bishop Kirk said he developed an appreciation for the burning community spirit that can be found in regional Australia.
Bishop Kirk said he wanted to create a strong sense of community, which he believes is needed more than ever in times of hardship.
"Much of rural Australia has been suffering drought, the Riverina perhaps more so than other parts," he said.
"The church can't end the drought, but the church is about being part of the community and supporting people spiritually and emotionally."
Bishop Kirk will be settling into the Griffith community with his wife Camryn, but soon he'll be getting back to work serving the people of the Riverina.
"I hope and pray that working together with the clergy and laity of the diocese we can do great things for the sake of Jesus Christ," he said.
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
