He involved himself in politics, allegedly with the agenda of spreading the message of god, but the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, instead endorsed a Rudd Labor Government. Now that Rudd has been elected, Jensen is left in the awkward position of justifying his endorsement. But the endorsement was a lousy choice.
Rudd makes claims to being Christian, but then those claims are pretty poor when one examines his public statements on the issue. He believes in a god. Mr Howard was far more definitive as leader, being of the Anglican tradition, but accepting peoples of all faiths in his public life. So why was it that the Anglican chief of Sydney was so quick to endorse a backsliding misfit over a committed member?
It seems to be that Jensen is trying that difficult maneuver of being all things to all people. Not good enough to stand for ones own beliefs, Jensen endorses the 'sign Kyoto' paper regardless of any actual impact on the environment. Jensen endorses the economic policy that has more people in poverty, so long as fewer become rich. The populist, feel good movement over the practical 'needs must' of conservatism.
It is no wonder fewer people are going to church regularly, the leaders offer nothing by way of direction. A message from Jensen to his flock, at Christmas.
Rudd accountable to God, says Jensen
ReplyDeletefrom news.com.au
AUSTRALIANS have voted for Kevin Rudd to lead the country but the Government and its people are accountable to a higher authority, the head of Sydney's Anglican Church says.
In his message this Christmas, Archbishop Peter Jensen reminded people that they and God were responsible for taking action on climate change, child protection and strife in war-torn countries.
"... the Australian people have spoken to change our national government and we now think of the government as being on Kevin Rudd's shoulders and the shoulders of his ministers," Dr Jensen said in his message.
"But what I once told (former prime minister) John Howard is true of Kevin Rudd also.
"We all have a higher authority to which we are accountable and ultimately, God has placed the Government of us all on the shoulders of Jesus, the one the prophet Isaiah spoke about."
Dr Jensen said people who thought they did not need God would be proven wrong.
"It is vital that action continues to be taken to protect children in Aboriginal communities but we must also help and pray for those who have already been affected," he said.
The Government had sent Australian soldiers to war-torn countries but their safe return must rely on their experience and faith in God.
"We must pray for the safety of the men and women who serve Australia overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq, Timor and elsewhere," Dr Jensen said.
Christmas is a time for celebration and to connect with family and friends, the archbishop said, and a time to remember "the God of the universe connecting with us".