The Right Revered Dr. John Wilson, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne’s Southern Region for nearly 22 years, will retire on 18th March 2007 at a farewell service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Over the years, Reverend Wilson had dedicated his life to serving the Anglican Diocese and its congregation, which the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier paid tribute for. The Archbishop highlighted his leadership role during the absence of an Archbishop in Melbourne in 2006, which earned him ‘praise and admiration from all involved.’
“I also want to thank him for his leadership of the Diocese both as Vicar General during the absences of the archbishop, and as Bishop Administrator in the interim period between Archbishop’s Watson’s retirement and my commencement,” Archbishop Freier said. “His chairmanship of two election synods during this period was exemplary and won the praise and admiration of all involved.”
Reverend Wilson has a strong interest in the welfare work of the Church where he is still continuing his work at the Melbourne Anglican Foundation to raise money especially for work among children, youth and families, for hospital chaplaincies, and to assist refugees.
Reverend Wilson also has a strong interest in books and education. Before his nomination to be a regional bishop, he was the lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley College from 1973 until 1985. He was largely responsible for the establishment of the Ridley College Bookshop. Currently he hopes to complete a book on “Christianity alongside Islam.”