Star

From Dandenong to bishop, she’s still a Darling

By Shaun Inguanzo

5th June 2008 11:00:27 AM

Former St James Anglican Church minister Barbara Darling has moved up in the house of God after being consecrated as Victoria’s first woman bishop on the weekend.

DANDENONG Anglican minister Barbara Darling became Victoria’s first woman bishop last weekend.

Bishop Darling was consecrated on Saturday 31 May at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne in front of 1400 people.

As a tribute to her love for the Dandenong region, where she was a minister at St James Anglican Church, the St James Dandenong Chollo Sudanese Choir performed songs and danced.

Bishop Darling, 60, is Victoria’s first female bishop, and the country’s second.

Melbourne Archbishop Philip Freier consecrated Bishop Darling, presented her to the church and received a rousing round of applause.

Her consecration follows the recent appointment and consecration of Archdeacon Kay Goldsworthy as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Perth.

During the service, Bishop Darling received a cope and mitre, the traditional ceremonial dress of bishops, as well as her pastoral staff, which the church says is a sign of her new Episcopal ministry.

Nineteen bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia, including Bishop Goldsworthy, and the primate, Dr Philip Aspinall, took part in the service.