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Philip Freier

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The Most Reverend

Philip Freier
Primate of Australia (2014–2020)
Archbishop of Melbourne
Archbishop Freier in 2019
Freier in 2019
ChurchAnglican Church of Australia
ProvinceVictoria
DioceseMelbourne
In office2014–2020 (as primate)
2006–present (as archbishop)
PredecessorPhillip Aspinall (as primate)
Peter Watson (as archbishop)
SuccessorGeoffrey Smith (as primate)
Previous post(s)Bishop of the Northern Territory (1999–2006)
Orders
Ordination1982
Consecration1999 (bishop)
Rank2006 (archbishop)
Personal details
Born
Philip Leslie Freier

(1955-02-09) 9 February 1955 (age 69)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
NationalityAustralian
DenominationAnglicanism
SpouseJoy née Launder
Alma mater
Insignia of ChStJ

Philip Leslie Freier (born 9 February 1955) is an Australian Anglican bishop. He has been the 13th Archbishop of Melbourne since 16 December 2006. He served as Primate of Australia from 28 June 2014[1] until 31 March 2020.[2] Previously, he served as Bishop of the Northern Territory between 1999 and 2006.

Early life, education and work

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Freier was born in Brisbane where he attended Hendra State High School and was raised in the Roman Catholic Church.[citation needed]

In addition to a PhD from James Cook University, he has received the degrees of Master of Educational Studies from the University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Divinity from the Melbourne College of Divinity, Diploma of Education from the University of Queensland and Bachelor of Applied Science from the Queensland Institute of Technology.[citation needed]

Freier was elected a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 1995.[3] He worked as a science teacher for six years prior to being ordained.[citation needed]

Ministry

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After his ordination in 1982, Freier was a curate in Kowanyama, Queensland, followed by five years as the rector of St Oswald's Banyo, before being appointed the rector of Christ Church Bundaberg. During his time in Kowanyama he studied and became a fluent speaker of one of the local indigenous languages, the Koko-Bera language and is now one of only approximately 50 speakers of this endangered tongue.[citation needed]

In 1999, Freier was elected as the Bishop of the Northern Territory and consecrated a bishop on 22 July at St John's Cathedral (Brisbane).[4] As a supporter of the indigenous Australian communities he pledged to support the Stolen Generations during their healing process.[5] In April 2014, he wrote an opinion piece in Fairfax Media newspapers criticising the Australian government's "Operation Sovereign Borders" policy which places children in immigration detention, arguing that "churches cannot be silent" and must care for "the alien, orphan and widow".[6][7] Freier has criticised large corporate banks in Australia, arguing that wealth creation should not be "separated from moral and social responsibility" and criticised the Abbott government for "privileging the financial interest of corporations".[8][9][10]

Freier has served as a chaplain to the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve since 2001.[11]

Freier was elected as Anglican Primate of Australia on 28 June 2014, defeating Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies.[12] He was installed as Primate by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne on 13 August 2014.[1] Freier resigned as Primate effective 31 March 2020[2] and was replaced by Geoffrey Smith as Primate on 7 April 2020 after the Committee of the Anglican Church's General Synod elected him as Freier's successor.[13]

Personal life

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Freier and his wife, Joy, live at "Bishopscourt", East Melbourne. They have two children and three grandchildren.[1][14] He includes bush-walking, reading and the visual arts among his recreational pursuits.[15]

Honours

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Styles of
Philip Freier
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Grace
Religious styleArchbishop

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Melbourne Archbishop Dr Philip Freier chosen as Anglican Primate of Australia". The Australian. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Anglican Church of Australia's Board of Electors to hold fresh election for primate". Anglican Communion News Service. Anglican Communion Office. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Archbishop Philip Freier". Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. ^ "Archived copy". anglicanarchives.org.au. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ Time in the Northern Territory
  6. ^ Philip Freier (17 April 2014). "Suffer the children, they have no asylum". Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. ^ Kate Hagan (18 April 2014). "'Stop the suffering of children in detention', says Archbishop Philip Freier". Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. ^ Philip Freier (12 April 2012). "Fair distribution of wealth will enrich Australian society". Canberra Times.
  9. ^ "Easter roasting from bishops for 24/7 news, social media, banks and miners". News.com.au. 6 April 2012.
  10. ^ Phillip Freier (6 June 2014). "Budget backlash shows we still value the fair go". Canberra Times.
  11. ^ www.defenceanglicans.org.au Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Archbishop Freier elected Australia's next Primate". Anglican Communion News Service. Anglican Communion Office. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Archbishop Geoffrey Smith elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia". Anglican Communion News Service. Anglican Communion Office. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  14. ^ Anglican Communion Directory, March 2000.
  15. ^ "My Story". Philip Freier. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
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Media related to Philip Freier at Wikimedia Commons

Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Bishop of the Northern Territory
1999–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Melbourne
2006–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Primate of Australia
2014–2020 		Succeeded by
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