Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion, one of the largest bodies of Christians in the world. The church is made up of Anglicans throughout the country of Australia.
The church is organized into several provinces, which are divided into dioceses (districts). Diocesan centers are in Australia’s state capitals—Sydney, New South Wales; Brisbane, Queensland; Adelaide, South Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Melbourne, Victoria; and Perth, Western Australia. The church’s headquarters are in Sydney.
Like other churches of the Anglican Communion, the Anglican Church of Australia upholds the importance of the Holy Scriptures; of tradition, as expressed in the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds, early Christian statements of faith; of the sacraments (holy ceremonies) of baptism and Communion; and of human reason in living a moral life. The Book of Common Prayer (1662) is the principal guide for worship. The church also uses An Australian Prayer Book (1978) and A Prayer Book for Australia (1995).
English settlers brought Anglicanism to Australia in the late 1700’s. At that time, the Church of England was the religious authority for Anglicans in Australia. The foundation of the Australian Board of Missions in 1872 helped stimulate the growth of Anglicanism in Australia. In 1962, the Church of England in Australia was established as a self-governing church with its own primate (head bishop). In 1981, it became known as the Anglican Church of Australia.
See also Anglican Communion .
