Beyond Unity: A Focus for Integrity
In his Presidential Address to Brisbane Synod 2026, Archbishop Jeremy Greaves reflected upon a challenge once offered by Mark Oakley: bishops have long been described as a focus of unity, but what might it mean for them also to be a focus for integrity?
The question shaped an address concerned with how the Church navigates an increasingly complex environment without retreating into ideology, control or factionalism. Greaves linked integrity with Anglican comprehensiveness: not compromise or institutional politeness, but a disciplined commitment to remain in conversation, recognising that the challenges before the Church are "not simply problems to be solved, but complexities to be navigated" with humility and patience.
That concern became pointed in his reflection on the national Church, where questions about the exercise of power, theological dominance and respect for diocesan boundaries have intensified following Anglicare Sydney’s acquisition of Infinite Care — an aged care provider with locations across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Yet the address did not focus on institutional anxiety, returning to the more foundational question of what the Church is for. He began and ended with the story of a boy on a ferry who sought only conversation and, at the end, offered the Archbishop a blessing.
Beneath the weight of governance, property, culture and conflict, Greaves suggested, the Church’s vocation remains remarkably clear: to live with grace, authenticity and honesty, and to be a blessing in the communities it serves.
You can read the Archbishop's address here.
A brief summary of Synod outcomes appears below.
REPORTS
Diocesan Council presented 2025 as a year of governance reform, strategic review and continuing oversight of the Diocese’s mission and operations. Major areas of work included commission redesign, property and capital projects, child safety compliance, domestic and family violence policy development, gender equity in ministry, and ongoing responses to historical abuse claims.
Cathedral Chapter reflected on the Cathedral’s vocation as a community shaped by worship, justice, hospitality and advocacy. Framed through Luke’s Gospel and the “Jesus manifesto,” the report highlights outreach giving, rough sleeper ministry, advocacy for social change, and the importance of community as a source of grace and hope.
Community Services Commission focused on Anglicare Southern Queensland’s work across aged care, home and community care, homelessness, counselling, out-of-home care and youth justice. Anglicare supported more than 39,000 Queenslanders in 2025 while navigating major reforms in aged care and child safety, cost-of-living pressures, housing stress and workforce sustainability.
Ministry Education Commission highlighted the work of St Francis College in theological education, ordained ministry formation, lay learning, spiritual direction, youth and children’s ministry, and the Roscoe Library. Despite disruption from Cyclone Alfred and organisational transition, the Commission reports strong engagement in study, formation, public lectures and diocesan partnerships.
Parishes and Other Mission Agencies Commission reported a largely holding pattern during 2025 while the Diocese considered a new commission structure integrating mission and ministry. Its report includes work on ethnic congregations, ministry development, clergy wellbeing, Anglican Focus, parish annual returns, and the review of the Resource Church pilot.
Anglican Schools Commission described 2025 as a year of growth, strategic planning and strengthened governance across Anglican schools and Education and Care Services. Key themes include the 2026–2029 Strategic Intent, Anglican identity, child safety reforms, Indigenous education, new school planning, governance development and creative initiatives such as The Harmony Project.
Financial Statements and Finance report records a stronger operating position for ACSQ in 2025, with an operating surplus of $7.8 million compared with $3.6 million in 2024. The report also notes continuing attention to data integrity, financial reporting, budget software, ethical investment, the Going for Growth Fund, and long-term financial sustainability.
MOTIONS OF WHICH NOTICE HAD BEEN GIVEN
1. Auditor’s Report and Statement of Accounts
This motion asks Synod to adopt the Auditor’s Report and Statement of Accounts for the Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane and related entities. It also includes the accounts of the Corporation of the Lesser Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Brisbane for the year ended 31 December 2025. Passed.
2. Budget 2027
This motion asks Synod to approve the 2027 Budget while noting that it has been prepared eight months ahead of the year in which it will operate. It recognises that Diocesan Council may need to revise the budget in response to changed economic conditions or updated income and cost estimates, while seeking to honour the intent of the proposed operational initiatives. Passed.
3. Anglican Board of Mission Anniversary
This motion celebrates the Anglican Board of Mission’s 175th anniversary and gives thanks for the Diocese’s long involvement in ABM’s work. It encourages parishes and faith communities to support ABM’s appeals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, church-to-church mission, and educational resources Passed.
4. Annual Returns Data Report
This motion asks Synod to receive the 2025 Annual Returns Data Report. It particularly draws attention to identified trends of parish growth and decline across the Diocese. These can be read here.
5. National Anti-Racism Framework
This motion celebrates Australia’s cultural and ethnic diversity while naming the harm caused by racism, including racism against First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Islamophobia and antisemitism. It asks Diocesan Council to work towards adopting the National Anti-Racism Framework in ACSQ and calls on state and federal governments to implement coordinated anti-racism action. Amended “implementing” instead of “adopting”. Passed.
6. Jailing is Failing
This motion argues that imprisonment is failing to reduce reoffending and disproportionately harms First Nations peoples, young people, and people living with mental illness, cognitive impairment or psychosocial disability. It calls on the Queensland Government to adopt evidence-based justice reform, including community-led, early intervention, diversionary and therapeutic responses. Amended. adding appropriate resource requirements of prison facilities. Passed.
7. Priestly Ministry in Rural and Remote Parishes
This motion gives thanks for clergy and lay ministry in rural and remote communities, and for the work of the Bush Ministry Fund. It notes concern about the number of Western Region parishes without a priest and proposes a working group to explore the issue, identify new models of ministry, and report back to Synod in 2027. Passed.
8. Annual Clergy Summer School
This motion encourages clergy to continue the study expected of them at ordination. It recognises Clergy Summer School as an opportunity for that ongoing formation and encourages clergy to attend the 2027 gathering at St John’s College, UQ. Passed.
9. ACSQ Ethical Investments
This motion proposes strengthening the ACSQ Ethical Investment Policy by raising the minimum MSCI ESG rating for investments from BBB to A. The explanatory note argues that an A rating reflects stronger management of ESG risks and opportunities than a BBB rating. Discussion considered that decision should be made based on technical and financial advice and discussion. Failed
10. Term Limits for Parish Office Holders
This motion asks Diocesan Council to prepare a canon for 2027 introducing term limits for parish councillors, churchwardens and other parish council office holders. It proposes a six-year consecutive service limit followed by a one-year sabbatical, with provision for a one-year extension in exceptional circumstances. Withdrawn from synod.
11. Olympic and Paralympic Games Proposal — Parish of Fortitude Valley
This motion notes that the principal venue and athletes’ village for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will be within the Fortitude Valley Parish. It recognises the parish’s commitment of more than $1 million in mission funds for evangelism and church planting centred on the Games, and encourages wider diocesan partnership. Passed.
12. Climate Justice and a Just Transition from Fossil Fuels
This motion affirms the Church’s responsibility to safeguard creation and seek climate justice, particularly for communities most vulnerable to climate change in the Pacific and Torres Strait. It asks diocesan agencies, parishes and schools to engage with the Diocesan Sustainability Roadmap and invites diocesan bodies to continue providing theological, educational and practical resources for climate action. Passed.
13. Torres Strait Islands and Stopping Climate Harm
This motion affirms the leadership, culture and spiritual connection of Torres Strait Islander peoples whose islands are threatened by rising sea levels. It offers solidarity with Torres Strait climate advocates, calls for state and federal action on emissions and legal protection, and asks the General Manager to write to relevant ministers conveying Synod’s concerns. Passed.
CANONS
Diocesan Governance Canon Amendment Canon 2026
This canon creates a new Ministry Development Commission to replace the Ministry Education Commission and the Parishes and Other Mission Agencies Commission. The new commission is intended to bring together formation, theological education, parish support, ministry development, mission innovation and the governance of St Francis College within one structure. A very significant amount of time was spent debating and amending the membership of the MDC. The canon finally passed with amendments to include consideration to the inclusion of laity, gender, geographic and cultural diversity.
Professional Standards Canon Amendment Canon 2026
This canon updates the Professional Standards Canon to incorporate the Queensland Reportable Conduct Scheme under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024. It brings “reportable conduct” within the scope of examinable conduct, ensuring relevant allegations concerning child safety can be reported, investigated and managed through the existing professional standards framework. Passed.
Training and Professional Supervision Canon Amendment Canon 2026
This canon expands the existing Training and Professional Supervision Canon to include regular ministry review for clergy and relevant licensed ministers. It gives canonical effect to the Ministry Review Policy, supporting ministry wellbeing, accountability and development through a three-year cycle of self-review, reviewer discussion and facilitated review. Passed.
General Synod Legislation Canon Amendment Canon 2026
This canon adopts the General Synod’s Safe Ministry Legislation Amendments Canon 2022 into the Diocese of Brisbane. The adopted legislation implements Royal Commission recommendations, updates safe ministry provisions for contemporary risks including technology-related abuse, strengthens conflict-of-interest provisions, and clarifies national safe ministry standards and processes. Passed.
Diocesan Council Canon Amendment Canon 2026 — Private Member’s Canon
This private member’s canon seeks to clarify how proceeds from the disposal of parish or institutional property are handled. It proposes that decisions must not harm the financial viability of the parish or institution, should prioritise long-term financial and missional sustainability, and should include earlier collaboration, written reasons where proposals are rejected, and a review process. After lengthy discussions did not voted on this item, but voted to move on to next item of business.
