Kanishka Raffel has been elected as the next Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, the first person from a non-European background to hold the position.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Mr Raffel has been the Dean of Sydney for the past six years and previously led a large Anglican church in Perth for 16 years.
He will be the 13th leader of the Anglican Church in Sydney since Bishop Broughton was first appointed in 1836.
"I'm humbled and somewhat daunted by the responsibility given me by the Synod," the 56-year-old Archbishop-elect said in a statement on Thursday night.
Born to Sri Lankan parents in London, Mr Raffel and his family emigrated to Australia from Canada in 1972. He and his wife Cailey have been married for 32 years and have two adult daughters.
"Globally, Anglican Christianity is ethnically diverse and our multiculturalism in Sydney mirrors that," Mr Raffel said.
"I'm glad that our diocese reflects the changing ethnic make-up of our cities and values the participation of Australians of all backgrounds in our church life together.
"Our team of bishops is almost equal part Asian-background and Anglo. That is contemporary Australia," Mr Raffel said.
The see of Sydney is currently vacant after the previous incumbent Glenn Davies retired in March.
Mr Raffel recently led the Sydney service attended by the Governor-General, Prime Minister and Premier after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Australian Associated Press
