My letter to the Editor of the Sunday Tasmanian 31st January 2010 (ST credit for header)
I am writing to provide balance to the one-sided story published on the front page last Sunday (“ Bishop’s ‘happy clappers’ anger old guard”, Sunday Tasmanian, January 24).
The story highlighted unsubstantiated claims from a small minority without testing those claims. The article also promoted untrue and unhealthy stereotypes.
In Hobart you can find a number of traditional and contemporary Anglican church services every Sunday. You won’t find any “frothing at the mouth”. You will find happy people in all styles of service, and some may even clap occasionally!
The Anglican church promotes a diversity of styles of worship, in the same way that our radio stations promote a variety of music. We are interested in reaching out to all people in our society, not any one particular group at the exclusion of others.
I would invite readers to attend an Anglican service and see for themselves, rather than rely on emotive reporting.
Bishop John Harrower
A number of thoughtful letters were published in today’s newspaper but unfortunately they are not available online.
My reflection on some of the underlying issues at ‘Christ and culture’ and the ‘public christian’ and ironically on the day before the negative newspaper article we had enjoyed Circular Head celebrates growth! which was a wonderful celebration by one of our parishes with a rich diversity of Anglican worship and service in Tasmania.
