Rod Bower (activist)
The Venerable Rod Bower | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 (age 62–63) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Priest |
| Employer | Anglican church |
| Known for | Human rights activism Criticism of the Christian right[1] |
| Political party | Independents For Climate Action Now |
Rodney Scott Bower (born 1962) is an Australian Anglican priest and social activist.[2] He was formerly the Rector of Gosford, on the New South Wales Central Coast,[3] and Archdeacon for Justice Ministries and Chaplaincy in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, and is now their Director of Mission. He is most known for his church signs that advocate progressive causes.[4]
Theology
Bower has said:
Activism
He has stated his views have been inspired by the liberation theology proponent Dom Helder Camara.[5] Israel Folau quoted from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Bower says, "FOLAU IS WRONG, DON'T LISTEN TO HIM".[6] Bower, along with others, set up a GoFundMe page in response to one set up by Folau.[7] In 2017, Bower was criticised for a Gosford Anglican church sign, referring to Peter Dutton, the Australian immigration minister, which said, "DUTTON IS A SODOMITE".[8] Bower stated he was referring to the biblical story of Sodom, which in his interpretation was "about hospitality, or more to the point lack thereof, and particularly about the condition of the heart that leads to inhospitable behaviour". However, there is an alternative Biblical explanation for the word 'sodomite'[9] from that articulated by Bower.[10] The assistant archbishop of Melbourne said the term Sodomite was, "a very personal slur on a government minister".[11] In 2017, Bower chained himself to Kirribilli House to protest the Manus Island detention centres.[12] His controversial signs relating to multiculturalism and anti-nationalism has led to counter-demonstrations by right-wing groups. In 2016, The Party for Freedom interrupted his service clothed in Islamic dress to protest his "social justice agenda".[13] In April 2018, after putting up a sign stating "Lest we forget Manus & Nauru", he received a threat by a member of the Australian Defence Force that they would "set that church on fire".[14] Later in the same year, a group interrupted the service wielding fake weaponry.[15]
Political career
In 2018, Bower announced he would run in the 2019 federal election for a New South Wales senate seat "to give a voice to the marginalised".[16] He has expressed an emphasis on policies surrounding "climate change, refugees and basic human rights".[17] Bower ran under the Independents For Climate Action Now party ticket in New South Wales, receiving only 0.6% of the vote and was not elected.[18]
Bibliography
- Outspoken: Because Justice is Always Social (Sydney: Ebury Australia, 2018)
References
- ↑ McCarthy, Joanne (30 August 2018). "The hungover 'epiphany' on the way to the priesthood". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Gosford Anglican". Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ Wainwright, Sofie; Vince, Mary-Louise (21 February 2022). "'Keep the tradition going': Provocative billboard priest Father Rod signs off". ABC News. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ↑ Bowden, Tracy (30 August 2018). "What drives the priest behind those controversial church signs". ABC News. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ Steger, Jason (14 December 2018). "When I look at Jesus' message, it is a political message: Father Rod Bower". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Gosford priest hits out at Israel Folau with new church sign". 24 June 2019.
- ↑ "Magda Szubanski and friends launch alternative GoFundMe: ForLove". 26 June 2019.
- ↑ Whitbourn, Michaela (30 September 2017). "Anglican Priest Rod Bower brands Peter Dutton a 'Sodomite' in social media post". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Definition of SODOMITE".
- ↑ "Fr Rod Bower and Gosford Anglican Church says: 'Dutton is a Sodomite' | Caldron Pool". caldronpool.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019.
- ↑ Whitbourn, Michaela (30 September 2017). "Anglican Priest Rod Bower brands Peter Dutton a 'Sodomite' in social media post". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ↑ "Father Rod Bower among Manus protesters released after chaining themselves to Kirribilli House". SBS News. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ Karp, Paul (15 August 2016). "Far-right protesters interrupt Anglican service clothed in mock Islamic dress". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ Maley, Jacqueline (30 April 2018). "Threat to church after Anzac Day message echoing Abdel-Magied's post". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ Hitchick, Merran (21 May 2018). "Far-right activists who invaded mass would be charged with terrorism if Muslim, rector says". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Father Rod chases Senate seat". The Australian. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Outspoken Anglican rector Rod Bower announces Senate bid". SBS News. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Senate Results - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Retrieved 23 July 2019.