Anthony John Parkes AM (born 1950) is a retired Australian Anglican bishop who served as the tenth Bishop of Wangaratta between 13 December 2008 and 21 December 2019.[1]


John Parkes

Bishop of Wangaratta
Bishop Parkes in 2019
Parkes in 2019
ChurchAnglican Church of Australia
DioceseDiocese of Wangaratta
In office2008 – 2019
PredecessorDavid Farrer
SuccessorClarence Bester
Other post(s)Assistant bishop in the Diocese of Brisbane
Dean of Brisbane
Personal details
Born
Anthony John Parkes
DenominationAnglicanism

Parkes began training for ordination in 1986 and was previously an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Brisbane. He also served as rector of All Saints' Church in Ainslie (1998–2004) and was also a former barrister where he served on the General Synod Standing Committee and the Church Law Commission.[2]

Prior to his election,[clarification needed] Parkes served as an assistant bishop and the dean of Brisbane in the Diocese of Brisbane.

Parkes was installed as Bishop of Wangaratta on 13 December 2008.[3]

Parkes, as a supporter of same-sex marriage,[4] has been criticised within the church for his stance.[5] In December 2017, Parkes organised Anglican bishops to write to federal members of parliament, seeking that they pass the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, same-sex marriage legislation without stronger religious exemptions.[6]

Parkes retired on 21 December 2019[7] and was replaced as Bishop of Wangaratta by Clarence Bester.

References

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  1. ^ "Wangaratta bishop elected to national tribunal". Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Anglican Church of Australia - Church Law". www.anglican.org.au. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Diocese of Wangaratta website". Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Bishop labelled a 'hero' after admitting same-sex marriage is inevitable". 7 September 2015.
  5. ^ "What God has Joined Together, Bishop Parkes Puts Asunder". 6 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Rebel Anglican bishops urge support for Smith bill as same-sex marriage debate reaches House of Reps". 4 December 2017.
  7. ^ Parkes, John (7 March 2019). "Bishop Announces Retirement". Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta. Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
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Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Bishop of Wangaratta
2008–2019
Succeeded by