SYDMAF

At 1130am on Sunday 17 January 2010 Archdeacon Malcolm Karipa reminded the congregation that he was flying to Melbourne to attend the commissioning and licensing of Reverend Victor Wilson in St Eanswythe’s Church, Altona. However, coming from Sydney and used to wearing clothes suited to the Sydney climate Malcolm had a very quick adjustment to make as he touched down at the airport in Avalon wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt with a temperature of around 13°. But the cold would not dampen the momentous occasion ahead

It was over 25 years ago since the very first Maori priest was commissioned and inducted in to the Sydney Anglican community. Sir Kingi Ihaka started the growth of the Maori Anglican Fellowship in Sydney in 1979 as a Christian Fellowship Outreach approved by the Archbishop of Sydney but it was in 1985 that the Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship became fully integrated in to the community and has been growing every year History

It is politically challenging to establish a culturally religious presence in another country but also spiritually rewarding when as Maori and non-Maori we can go to a church that whilst retaining the Anglican traditions and customs, integrates our own identity in to the services and thanks to Sir Kingi Ihaka and those that followed including our current priest Archdeacon Malcolm Karipa, the bi-lingual services complimented by the occasional performances of the Sydney Maori Anglican Choir ensures the longing for home is only a short distance from the Sydney CBD in Redfern

25 years later, the same challenge has been fully supported and approved in Melbourne with the licensing and induction in to the cultural and religious community of Altona, of Reverend Victor Wilson. As with the Sydney Maori Mission, Reverend Victor Wilson can now perform religious ceremonies such as Marriages, Eucharist, Baptisms and many other services the community requires. But more importantly, Reverend Victor Wilson joins what is increasingly becoming a larger Maori Fellowship in Australia, which includes a Maori Fellowship in Brisbane

On behalf of all Maori fellowship members, we wish Reverend Victor Wilson and his team all the very best for the New Year and look forward to continuing growth and support in the future

Reverend Victor Wilson Licensing and Inductiuon Programme