Keith Rayner (bishop)

The Right Reverend

Keith Rayner

AO
ChurchAnglican Church of Australia
ProvinceVictoria
DioceseMelbourne
In office
  • 1991–1999 (as primate)
  • 1990–1999 (as archbishop)
Predecessor
Successor
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination1953 (1953) (as priest)
Consecration24 June 1969 (1969-06-24)
Personal details
Born
Keith Rayner

(1929-11-22)22 November 1929
Died12 January 2025(2025-01-12) (aged 95)
NationalityAustralian
SpouseAudrey Rayner
Alma materUniversity of Queensland

Keith Rayner AO (22 November 1929 – 12 January 2025) was an Australian Anglican bishop and an Anglican Primate of Australia.[1] He served as Archbishop of Melbourne from 1990 to 1999, Archbishop of Adelaide from 1975 to 1990 and Bishop of Wangaratta from 1969 to 1975.

Life and career

Rayner was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Brisbane, Queensland (now known as the Anglican Church Grammar School and popularly called "Churchie").[2] and the University of Queensland.[3] He was ordained priest in 1953.[4] His first post was as chaplain at St Francis' Theological College, Brisbane, followed by Queensland incumbencies in Sunnybank and Wynnum, during which time he completed his doctoral thesis on the history of Anglicanism within the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane.[5]

In 1969, Rayner became the Bishop of Wangaratta, Victoria:[6] he was consecrated a bishop on 24 June at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.[7] In 1975 he was translated to the see of Adelaide, South Australia as its archbishop. During his time in Adelaide he was appointed to be an officer of the Order of Australia.[8]

From 1990 to 1999, he was Archbishop of Melbourne. He was widely appreciated for his "masterly presidential style"[9] and as a preacher. From 1989 to 1991, he served as Acting Primate of Australia, and between 1991 and 1999 he was the Primate of Australia.[10] While archbishop and primate he supported the ordination of women to the priesthood and ordained the first women priests in the Diocese of Melbourne in 1992.[11][12]

Rayner died on 12 January 2025, at the age of 95.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Taylor, Jenan (13 January 2025). "Significant Anglican and 'instrument of God': Bishop Keith Rayner dies". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  2. ^ Mason, James (2011). Churchie: The Centenary Register. Brisbane, Australia: The Anglican Church Grammar School. ISBN 978-0-646-55807-3.
  3. ^ Who's Who 2007 London: AC Black, 2006 ISBN 978-0-7136-7527-6
  4. ^ "Archbishop Keith Rayner retires after almost half a century of ministry". Anglican Communion News Service. Anglican Communion Office. 24 November 1999. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  5. ^ Rayner, Keith (1962). "The History of the Church of England in Queensland: A Thesis Submitted to The University of Queensland for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy" (PDF). Anglican Archives.
  6. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975-76 London: Oxford University Press, 1976 ISBN 0-19-200008-X
  7. ^ Anglican Archives Archived 10 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ The Times, 16 June 1977, p. 10, "Court Circular".
  9. ^ Appreciation of leadership
  10. ^ Brolly, Mark (17 March 2020). "Vote for Archbishop Freier's successor as Primate deadlocked". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  11. ^ Rayner, Keith (April 1992). "Melbourne Synod March '92". SEE: 11.
  12. ^ Nelson, Janet (18 April 1994). "Melbourne celebrates as the first twelve women are ordained: Rejoice greatly daughters of Zion!". Movement for the Ordination of Women Newsletter: 30, 33 – via University of Divinity Digital Collections.
  13. ^ Taylor, Jenan (13 January 2025). "Significant Anglican and 'instrument of God': Bishop Keith Rayner dies". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Bishop of Wangaratta
1969–1975 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Adelaide
1975–1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Melbourne
1990–1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Primate of Australia
1991–1999
(Acting Primate 1989–1991) 		Succeeded by