Anglican Archbishop Philip Freier accuses Essendon of ‘panic’ over Andrew Thorburn appointment

The Anglican Archbishop for Melbourne has described the situation at Essendon Football Club as “crazy” in the wake of CEO Andrew Thorburn’s resignation after just one day in the role.

Mr Thorburn resigned on Tuesday after it was revealed he was the chair of a church that had articles on its website which were critical of abortion and said practising homosexuality was a sin.

Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, described the reaction to Mr Thorburn’s appointment as “panic” and urged organisations not to make a “knee-jerk reaction” based on public response.

“Otherwise we are going to to get into this crazy situation where basically the state or, public opinion, majority public opinion, starts regulating something which is intensely personal like religion,” Dr Freier said.

Dr Freier also questioned the decision of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to wade into debate about the issue.

Earlier this week, Mr Andrews was critical of the views expressed by the church group, describing them as “bigotry”.

“I’ve had a longstanding view that termination services are a private matter between a woman and her doctor and I will speak out against people who seek to intrude on that,” he said on Wednesday.

“What’s more, when it comes to rampant homophobia, when I lead the Pride March every year … I do that with a sense of genuine concern and support and commitment to make sure every LGBTIQ+ Victorian is safe, respected and valued.”

Dr Freier said Mr Andrews risked turning religious tolerance into an election issue with his comments so close to the November election.

“I think in retrospect it probably is ill-advised for him, leading a government which has brought in a Bill of Human Rights and Responsibilities not to be applying those principles into how a community body might relate to the same matter,” Dr Freier told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“The day after the announcement was made we had the Premier being commented on by the leader of the opposition so I think Victoria has a good opportunity of pulling back a bit and understanding the good principles we have in the Bill of Human Rights and Responsibilities and how we enact that more broadly.”

Mr Thorburn’s City on a Hill church is a part of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.

The former Bombers CEO yesterday released another statement following his resignation, saying he had received hundreds of messages of support and said his dismissal had raised fears of religious discrimination among his supporters.

“It is troubling that faith or association with a church, mosque, synagogue or temple could render a person immediately unsuited to holding a particular role,” Mr Thorburn said.

Pastor Guy Mason from City on a Hill church said the sermon in question was delivered nine years ago, but stopped short of saying the church’s views on abortion and homosexuality had changed.

“The words were wrong, I’d use different words today, the essence of the message though is that Jesus is all about life,” he told Channel Seven’s Sunrise.

“We’re inclusive, we’re not homophobic, we’re for life and we’re for love.”

Debate continues over Thorburn appointment

Federal Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor said the situation has not been handled well by Essendon, and the club did not use its due diligence.

“If a body espouses certain values, and that is contradicted by the values or personal beliefs of an executive officer, then they have to make decisions,” he said.

“It shouldn’t have come to this because you would have thought that proper consideration would have prevented the appointment in the first place.”

However, senior fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity, Reverend Tim Costello, said there had been a rush to judgement on Mr Thorburn’s beliefs.

“People who don’t go to church think that people in church all do what the pastor says,” he told RN Breakfast.

“I can tell you, just about everyone of us who goes to church disagree with sermons, argue with what’s said in church, have very different views to what might even be on the website.”

Olympian and now head of the Australian Sports Commission, Kieran Perkins, said the complexities of the debate were being missed.

“Running hard to these definitive views based on small pieces of information I don’t think is particularly helpful,” he said.

“If we want diversity and inclusion in all parts of society that actually does include all parts of society.”