Kay Goldsworthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO |
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| Archbishop of Perth | |
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Goldsworthy in 2019
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| Church | Anglican Church of Australia |
| Province | Western Australia |
| Diocese | Perth |
| Elected | 29 August 2017 |
| Enthroned | 10 February 2018 |
| Predecessor | Roger Herft |
| Other posts | Metropolitan of Western Australia (ex officio) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 9 February 1986 (as deacon) by David Penman 7 March 1992 (as priest) |
| Consecration | 22 May 2008 by Roger Herft |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Kay Maree Goldsworthy |
| Born | 1956 (age 68–69) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Spouse | Jeri James |
| Children | 2 |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Trinity College, Melbourne |
| Coat of arms |  |
Kay Maree Goldsworthy (born in 1956) is an important leader in the Anglican Church of Australia. She is the current Archbishop of Perth. When she became archbishop on February 10, 2018, she made history. She was the first woman to become an archbishop in the Anglican Church of Australia. Before this, she was a bishop in the Diocese of Gippsland in Victoria, Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kay Goldsworthy was born and grew up in Melbourne, Australia. She studied theology at Trinity College from 1980 to 1983. Theology is the study of religious faith and practice.
Becoming a Church Leader
In 1986, Kay Goldsworthy became one of the first female deacons in the Anglican Church in Australia. A deacon is a church helper who assists priests. She worked in parishes in Thomastown/Epping and Deer Park/St. Albans. Later, she moved to Western Australia. There, she became a school chaplain at Perth College. A chaplain is a minister who works in a special place like a school or hospital.
In 1992, she made history again. She was part of the first group of women to become priests in Australia. This was a very important moment for the church. She then served as a rector (a head priest) at St David's parish in Applecross from 1995 to 2006. During this time, she also became a canon and later an Archdeacon. In 2007, she was appointed Archdeacon of Perth.
Ministry as Bishop
In April 2008, Kay Goldsworthy was chosen to be an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Perth. On May 22, 2008, she became the first woman to be consecrated (officially made) a bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia. This happened at St George's Cathedral, Perth.
Leading a Diocese
In 2013, she was the first woman bishop to be considered for election as a diocesan bishop in Australia. A diocesan bishop leads a whole church area called a diocese. On December 11, 2014, she was elected to lead the Diocese of Gippsland. She officially started this role on March 21, 2015.
Special Recognition
In 2017, Kay Goldsworthy received a special award. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This award is for "distinguished service to religion." It recognized her as a pioneer and role model for women in the church. It also honored her work in church management and caring for people.
Becoming Archbishop
In 2017, Kay Goldsworthy was elected Archbishop of Perth. She officially began this role on February 10, 2018. As archbishop, she also became the Metropolitan of Western Australia. This means she is the chief bishop for that region.
Her main goals as archbishop included helping people who had been hurt. She wanted to rebuild trust in the church. She also aimed to support women in leadership roles. She wanted to listen to the views of all Anglicans in Perth.
Views of Other Anglicans
Women Bishops
Women have been serving as Anglican bishops in many countries since 1989. These countries include the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
In Australia, the church decided in 2007 that there was no rule stopping women from becoming bishops. In April 2008, a meeting of bishops made it possible for the first woman to be consecrated as a bishop in Australia.
Kay Goldsworthy's appointment was a big step. Some parts of the church had different views on this. For example, the Anglican Diocese of Sydney had a different opinion. They said that if she visited their area, she could not perform duties as a bishop. She could only act as a deacon there.
On September 17, 2023, Archbishop Goldsworthy preached at Christ Church St Laurence in Sydney. This was a special event. She was the first woman bishop to preach in an Anglican church in Sydney. This showed how much progress had been made.
Family Life
Kay Goldsworthy is married to Jeri James. They have twin sons.
See also
- Ordination of women in the Anglican Communion
- List of the first women ordained as priests in the Anglican Church of Australia in 1992
