More on Richard Lane

The ACL has the Richard Lane story on their website.

Not everyone will like what Richard Lane has done or be comfortable with the way he has done it. But we mustn't miss the issue of substance, which is how Anglican ministers should deal with unrepentant sin. From this angle, Richard Lane has done no more than his job would normally involve him in doing. Those who complain that Justice Michael Kirby isn't a member of Richard's parish would have a point if Justice Kirby hadn't chosen to broadcast (quite literally) the nature of his sin on ABC National Radio, which presumably can still be heard in the parish of Bellevue Hill.

Some responses to Richard Lane and Michael Kirby

Yesterday I mentioned Richard Lane's situation; today the letters page of the SMH was full of correspondence about it. Here are the letters supporting Richard:

Justice Kirby claims my colleague has turned a blind eye to the "central loving message of Jesus of the gospels". Christ speaks of forgiveness but also commands us to repent. Sometimes I find it hard to hear, but I still appreciate those who gently but firmly point out my own, very real sins.

The Reverend Sandy Grant, Wollongong


Herod did not appreciate John the Baptist calling him to repent of his sexual immorality either. Could the Herald's treatment of Richard Lane be the modern-day equivalent of seeing John's head on the plate?

Andrew Mitchell, Gladesville


Richard Lane deserves praise and not condemnation for pointing out the inconsistency between Christian teaching and homosexuality. The current popularity of a sin does not make it right, no matter how distinguished the person. If God is going to judge all of us because of our sin, then we should be thankful to anyone who risks public crucifixion by warning us about this truth, even if we do not want to hear it.

The Reverend Gordon Cheng, Kingsford


If Michael Kirby was in the surf and Richard Lane saw a shark approaching, would we not expect Lane to sound a warning?

Lucy Chik, Faulconbridge

Unsurprisingly, the letters against Richard were for the most part full of abusive, angry and sarcastic language, demonstrating better than anything else that those who call for tolerance have little understanding of its true meaning (that is, to put up with something even if you don't necessarily like it or agree with it).

A good reminder to keep praying. In the meantime, another friend got a letter in on another subject:

What is the point of an Olympic torch relay where the torch is hidden from the international community and the international community is hidden from the host nation?

Sophie Kunze, Penrith

Pray for Richard Lane

Richard Lane has done a brave thing, telling Justice Michael Kirby that he faces the judgement of God for continuing to call himself a Christian while living a homosexual lifestyle.

We should pray for him, and for Justice Kirby's repentance.