New Archbishop of Melbourne
Date 24 May 2025
New Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne
The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has today announced the election of the Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe.
The Administrator Bishop Genieve Blackwell was pleased to announce the decision following the deliberations of the Archbishop Election Synod. The Synod, comprising approximately 760 people of the Diocese, consisting of Clergy and lay parish representatives, began its work on Friday 23rd May.
Archbishop - elect Ric, currently serves in a special episcopal role as Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London. It encompasses diocesan, national and international responsibilities, held together within the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication (CCX) with a focus on church planting. Ordained in the Diocese of London, Bishop Ric did his undergraduate theological studies at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and his doctorate through Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky United States.
Archbishop - elect Ric says “we have come to love Melbourne over the years, as we have served and ministered in the diocese, in other denominations, and across the nation.” His passion is ‘seeing the whole Church of God thrive, enabling churches to be healthy, new congregations planted, and struggling churches revitalised.”
The Chair of the Board of Nominators, Dr Jenny George, described Archbishop -elect Ric as “an experienced and visionary leader. Ric has been personally involved in revitalising small or shrinking parishes and planting new churches. His commitment to developing future leaders is seen in his local and global training of church planters and other leaders.”
He will succeed Archbishop Philip Freier who retired in February after serving 18 years in office.
Bishop Thorpe will be installed as Archbishop in St Paul’s Cathedral later in the year at a date to be advised. Bishop Blackwell will continue to serve as Administrator until that time.
Grace and Peace
Genieve Blackwell
The Right Reverend Genieve Blackwell
Administrator of the Melbourne Diocese
New Vicar - Welcome
It all begins with an idea.
The Wardens and Nominations Committee announced on 11 May 2025 that our new Vicar will be Rev’d Malinda de Mel, known as Rev’d or Fr Mal.
He was in our view the very best candidate for St. Oswald’s amongst 10 or 12 candidates we considered.
Fr Mal comes from the parish of Holy Emmanuel Moratuwa in Sri Lanka.
He is an Australian citizen and lived in Australia for some years before returning to Sri Lanka. He has some friends and family living here.
In watching his services online, they are very similar to our services in the traditional Anglican form and liturgy, with hymns and psalms sung with organ.
He has a strong interest in pastoral care, considers the congregation as his family.
He has a wife and two adult children, one of whom, a son, is getting married in Sri Lanka in August.
He will arrive in early October after our Centenary celebrations, and his Commissioning as our new Vicar will occur at a date to be agreed.
He expects to live in the Vicarage, which is currently being furnished to provide him with a very comfortable home.