Members of the Fifty-Second Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne have elected the Revd Dr Rhys Bezzant a member of the Cathedral Chapter in succession of former Senior Canon, the Revd Dr Peter Adam OAM. Dr Bezzant is the Dean of Missional Leadership and Lecturer in Christian Thought at Ridley College, Melbourne.
Dr Bezzant is a graduate in German from the Universities of Melbourne and Köln, and in theology from Ridley Melbourne. His doctoral work investigated the ecclesiology of the eighteenth-century congregationalist theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards. He is the Director of the Jonathan Edwards Centre, Australia, an affiliate of Yale University.
Dr Bezzant said: “I am delighted to begin this new ministry in serving the diocese and city as a Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is such an important part of the fabric of our city, and participation in its leadership is most humbling. I look forward to working with the Cathedral team in our common task of promoting the honour of Christ.”
The Dean of Melbourne, Dr Andreas Loewe, said: “I am very much looking to welcoming Rhys to the Chapter of St Paul’s. In recent years, the Cathedral’s congregations and ministries have experienced consistent growth. We are delighted to welcome an experienced missional leader to our governance team, to share with us in making the Word of God fully known at the heart of the city and diocese.”
Dr Bezzant will be installed a Canon by the President of Chapter, Archbishop Dr Philip Freier, and Dean at Choral Evensong on 6 December, 5.10pm.