Why spend so much time attacking Sydney?

I write in response to several articles in recent editions of TMA.

What is it about Melbourne that we find it so necessary to criticise the Diocese of Sydney? Is it just a reflection of our culture, and that ever-present deep-seated rivalry between two cities? Why has this been a major theme in our common discourse over the last few months? Why is personal attack part of this rhetoric? What does this say about our Diocese?

Is it envy of success? Or is it a reflection of some expressions of contemporary political debate, when attacking others is seen as a great achievement, and the best policy is to accuse others of the faults one has oneself. ‘You are so negative’ is a resounding example of this. This approach is no more attractive in politics than it is in the church.

And why are we so attracted to conspiracy theories? What does that say about us? To attribute all the evil to the Diocese of Sydney is ridiculous, and ignores the presence of many who hold similar views independently of Sydney in England and in many other places in the Anglican Communion, Melbourne included.

Why waste so much energy attacking others? Why engage in personal attack? I don’t see articles in Southern Cross, the Sydney diocesan magazine, attacking Melbourne. Nor do articles criticising other Anglicans appear in other Diocesan magazines around Australia. To read more, click here.