Abstracts History

The development of, and opposition to, healing ministries in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, with special reference to the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral 1960-2010

by Paul Francis Egan

The objectives of this thesis are summed up in its multi-layered main question, 'What has been the fate of healing ministries in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, and regarding the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney 1960-2010, what happened, why did it happen, how did the Diocese react, and why'? To answer this question, special attention has been given to oral history through interviews and email enquiries as well as the use of archival records, correspondence and minutes of healing ministry related entities. – Two hypotheses are analysed throughout, these are 1) 'That the charisma, initiative and leadership skills of Canon Jim Glennon were the driving forces behind the foundation and growth of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral', and 2) 'That the uncompromising theological position of the Diocese of Sydney has led to the non-support of healing ministries, especially the dismissal of the Charismatic/renewal element of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral'. These two hypotheses are analysed here in terms of classic Revitalization Theory: Glennon was a 'prophet' who challenged the prevailing diocesan mindset; the new paradigm he created was eroded and eventually eliminated by 'prophets' of an even more anti-charismatic mindset than the one he initially challenged. – It is here argued, consistent with diocesan opposition to Charismatic beliefs and practices, that there has been a diminution of the Charismatic ethos in the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral as successive leaders have been appointed. Glennon (Founder and leader 1960-1988), exercised a challenging, low-key Charismatic ministry, well calculated to give it an international reputation. His successor, Canon Jim Holbeck (leader 1988-2006), heeding directives from the Diocese, was more restrained in the practice of distinctively Charismatic elements in his ministry, and Canon Christopher Allan (leader from 2008), has excised all Charismatic expression from the Healing Ministry.