The New Puritans

The Rise of Fundamentalism in the Anglican Church

Muriel Porter

This book explores the increasing domination of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, which is the largest, richest, most powerful, and most conservative, diocese in Australia. and arguably the most conservative in worldwide Anglicanism.

Opinion

"The author gives a fascinating picture of the power politics of the world-wide Anglican communion"
"The New Puritans incorporates splendid and meticulous research, based on personal experience. Dr Porter has written a book with implications far beyond the arcane world of Anglican church politics and theology."
(Robert Willson, The Canberra Times, 18/3/06)

"If the idea of a bit of good old-fashioned Jensen bashing (as in the brothers Jensen of the Sydney Anglican diocese) is your idea of fun, then you will love this book."
(Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald, 29-30 April 2006)

About this Title

Religious fundamentalism is a growing force in Australian society, but it is not confined to conservative Islam or to fringe denominations. In The New Puritans, Muriel Porter explains how the mainstream Anglican Church in this country is influenced by the ideological agendas of its largest and richest diocese, Sydney.

Over the past few decades, Sydney Anglicans have increasingly modelled themselves on the sixteenth-century English Puritans. They have radically altered church services, relentlessly opposed all attempts to extend full equality to women in the Church, and joined forces with conservative Anglicans worldwide to prevent the blessing of same-sex partnerships and the ordination of gay people. Under the leadership of the charismatic Jensen brothers--Peter, the Archbishop of Sydney, and his brother Phillip, the Dean--Sydney poses a growing threat to mainstream Anglicanism. The New Puritans explores the Diocese's impact on the Church in Australia and internationally.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Completing the Reformation
2 Beginnings
3 Sydney Anglicans and conservative religion in Australia
4 The 'great cause': the subordination of women
5 Creating a pure Church: the gay debate and lay presidency
Conclusion

About the Author

Dr Muriel Porter is a Melbourne journalist, religion commentator, author and historian. For the past twenty years she has been heavily involved in the governance of the Anglican Church of Australia. A laywoman, she is strongly committed to the cause of the ordination of women. She is married to an Anglican priest; they have two adult children.