Bishop George Browning is to be asked to return to the leadership of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

The Diocesan Synod meeting in Goulburn today asked the bishop to withdraw his resignation which was prompted by recent findings of a church tribunal in regard to a single incident 15 years ago involving a female parishioner, when George Browning was a parish priest.

The motion before the synod recognised that Bishop Browning had been involved in a "lapse of appropriate professional standards" involving pain and suffering for the woman involved. However, it also noted that the bishop had done all required of him to deal with the "temporal consequences of his sin" and that the church was to be a place where forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation and healing was to be made manifest.

The finding of the General Synod Special Tribunal, made public in September, was that Bishop Browning should receive a "public monition" and that the Bishop-in-Council of the diocese should be asked to consider whether it had continued confidence in his episcopal leadership. The bishop, however, advised the Bishop in Council that he was resigning so as to avoid further pain and difficulty in the life of the diocese.

A widespread outpouring of support followed, including petitions circulated through the parishes of the diocese requesting that he withdraw the resignation. The synod today had to consider whether to ask Bishop Browning to withdraw his resignation or for the diocese to move towards an episcopal election in the new year.

The motion asking that the bishop withdraw his resignation was voted on by the separate houses of Clergy and Laity. In the House of clergy the voting was 80 for and 21 against. In the House of Laity the voting was 149 for and 27 against.

Bishop Browning is expected to take some time to consider the result of the synod, before making his decision known in the course of the coming week.

Bishop Richard Randerson, who presided over the synod said at its conclusion: "I am grateful for the spirit of openness that has characterised today's debate, and for the consensus we have reached.

"Most of all I am hopeful that today's decision, which has the prospect of seeing Bishop Browning resume his office, will lead to a conclusion of what has been a painful episode for all. We have valued the prayers and support that have sustained us through these days".

The full text of the synod motion is:

That this synod, taking into account the following:

• The seven years of outstanding episcopal leadership of Bishop Browning in our Diocese;
• His proven reputation as a leader in this church over many years;
• The high esteem in which he is held by other Christian leaders and by leaders in society including the Governor-General and many others;
• The fact that following a lapse of appropriate professional standards fifteen years ago, the Bishop has done all required of him to deal with the temporal consequences of his sin, culminating in his submitting his resignation to the Metropolitan;
• An acknowledgement that the Church must not condone breaches of trust by any of its church workers in ministering to individuals;
• That since his resignation there has been much anguish and pain in church and community and many calls for the bshop to withdraw his resignation;
• That the Gospel compels the church to be the place where forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation and healing won for us by Jesus and promised to us in the Spirit are incarnated and made manifest:
1. Respectfully requests Bishop George to withdraw his resignation and to continue his ministry as the Bishop of this Diocese and affirms his place among us as our chief pastor;
2. Acknowledges the pain the complainant woman has suffered, praying that she may experience healing and peace;
3. Encourages Bishop-in-Council to explore ways in which the church locally, provincially and nationally can be healed, restored and strengthened following this difficult period in our life together;
4. Assures the Primate and the Metropolitan of our commitment to seeking the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;

Anglican Media
Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Jamieson House
43 Constitution Avenue
Reid, Act 2601