The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has elected Bishop Ric Thorpe as its next Archbishop, an appointment likely to tip the balance in the house of bishops of the National Church.
Thorpe, aged 60, has served since 2015 as the Bishop of Islington, a role focused exclusively on church planting in the Diocese of London. He leads the Centre for Church Multiplication, equipping clergy and lay teams to establish and revitalize congregations across urban and suburban contexts.
In 2023, amidst debates within the Church of England regarding the blessing of same-sex relationships, Thorpe co-authored a theological summary arguing for the doctrine of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and voted against introducing standalone services for same-sex couples on a trial basis during a meeting of the General Synod..
Prior to episcopal ministry, he spent a decade (2005–2015) as rector of St Paul’s, Shadwell, overseeing church-planting initiatives after his formative ministry at Holy Trinity Brompton.
Under the Archbishop Election Act 2022, a Board of Nominators first conducted broad consultations across the diocese and with provincial bishops, compiling a short-list of candidates – a short-list that was in this instance populated entirely by evangelical candidates, with Thorpe the sole candidate with episcopal experience.
The list was presented to all lay and clergy members of synod, who met on 23–24 May to vote by successive ballots until a candidate received a majority. The result, confirmed this afternoon, now requires formal assent by the Metropolitan Council before installation services are scheduled.
Thorpe succeeds Archbishop Philip Freier, whose 15-year tenure was marked by commitment to regional ministry, social justice, and active engagement with Indigenous reconciliation. Thorpe’s evangelical ethos will almost certainly represent a more conservative approach to doctrine and mission for the diocese of Melbourne.
As metropolitan Archbishop, Thorpe will sit on the Standing Committee of General Synod, bringing his evangelical convictions to national conversations on mission strategy, liturgical renewal, and debates over human sexuality.
An installation date will be announced shortly; until then, the Diocese remains in the hands of Acting Administrator, Bishop Genieve Blackwell.