The Right Reverend Ric and Louie Thorpe leading the procession before the installation. Picture: Janine Eastgate
Jenan Taylor
30 November 2025
Melbourne’s new Anglican archbishop has been installed, beginning a new season for the church and diocese.
Archbishop Ric Thorpe became Melbourne’s 14th leader on Advent Sunday, succeeding Philip Freier who retired in February after 18 years of service.
Elected as archbishop in May, Archishop Thorpe is regarded as one of the Anglican Church’s leading figures in church planting and revitalisation.
He told the 1400 people assembled at St Paul’s Cathedral and the thousands more viewing the installation online he was committed to being the witness to the resurrection they’d wanted in their new archbishop.
“Let me state it plainly. I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as long as God gives me breath,” Archbishop Thorpe said in his homily.
“There is much work to do in every part of the diocese,” he continued. “We can do this work because we are empowered by Christ.”
The first English archbishop to be installed since Frank Woods, Archbishop Thorpe summarised the priorities for the diocese: prayer, mission, church planting, developing leaders, and schools.
The installation service began with the ancient tradition of Archbishop-elect hammering at the Great Doors of St Paul’s Cathedral, before he was greeted on behalf of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people by Wiradjuri man the Venerable Uncle Glenn Loughrey.
In a small twist in tradition, Bishop Thorpe proceeded to the altar platform drummed in by the Psalm Drummers.
Ahead of the installation, the Archbishop-elect told The Melbourne Anglican he looked forward to the powerful drumming headed up by long-time friend and Christian musician Terl Bryant.
For Bishop Thorpe, the beats marked the transition from being known about to being known.
Read more: New Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne elected
Bishop David Urquhart sent by Archbishop of Canterbury-designate Sarah Mullally to deliver her commendation said the Church of England had much to be grateful for in the Archbishop-elect.
He said Bishop Thorpe had shaped many faithful lives through church planting, and his wife Louie formed many loving and prayerful disciples, particularly with her work with clergy spouses.
Mrs Thorpe read from Matthew 28:16-20, a passage about making disciples of all nations, that spoke deeply to her focus and that of her husband.
Clergy, including Bishops from the Provinces, Episcopates and across the nation, surrounded the archbishop who was installed on his seat before he was presented to applause and delighted calls from the crowd.
Archbishop Thorpe greeted family, including his three children in England who were watching online, but some friends and colleagues had flown in from overseas.
Former Holy Trinity Brompton associate and New Zealand vicar the Reverend Fraser McDermott described the archbishop as personable.
“His 30,30 by 2030 vision will be amazing for Melbourne. It’s got the best captain at the helm it could hope to have,” Mr McDermott said.
“He’s warm and winsome, and smiling. Even in the middle of conflict.”
Primate of Australia Bishop Mark Short welcomed Archbishop Thorpe’s experience and expertise in evangelism and church planting.
He told TMA he was sure this would help the national church as it sought to engage Australian culture with the gospel.
“He has been able to build great relationships across the different traditions in the Church of England around the common purpose of making Christ known and growing Christ’s church,” Bishop Short said.
“I think that is a perspective that will enrich the life of the Anglican Church of Australia and all our diversity.”
The Uniting Church of Australia Moderator the Reverend Salesi Faupula greeted the archbishop on behalf of the heads of the Churches of Victoria.
He said his church looked forward to walking the path of discipleship together, deepening the bonds of friendship between the two churches and strengthening the common weaknesses.
Read more: Diocese plans 30 new churches, 30 revitalisations by 2030
Representing the provincial schools, Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School principal Dr Toni Meath drew on the archbishop’s goal of focussing on schools.
She said schools mattered more than ever in the age of artificial intelligence instability and endless change.
“A good education is always a discussion of what it means to be human. The discussion is found in the messages of kindness and compassion that underscore our Anglican-ness, in the beauty and truth of Keats’s poetry and timeless imagery and rhythms of Shakespeare’s language, the infinite universe and in God’s Word,” Dr Meath said.
“We look forward to walking with you in our schools.”
Representing the social justice and humanitarian agencies in the diocese and province, Anglican Overseas Aid chief executive Jo Knight reminded the archbishop of the challenges both globally and locally which the church must address.
“We invite you to know this work deeply, to champion it and to join us as we imagine what’s possible together, because when the whole church moves as one, we can be an incredible force for justice, for flourishing and for social good,” Ms Knight said.
Her speech echoed in part the archbishop’s outlook.
Responding to God’s call was a great adventure of faith and mission for him and Mrs Thorpe, but they could not do it alone, he said in his homily earlier. He urged the church to partake.
“Join us in this great adventure. Walk with us, pray with us, serve with us,” the archbishop said.
The bishops, dean and chapter, and all visiting clergy exited the Great Doors at the end of the service to gather round the archbishop on the Cathedral steps, a place where many Melburnians love to assemble.
Finally, to the accompaniment of rumbling trams and with the city’s Sunday crowds looking on, Archbishop Thorpe prayed God’s blessing on Melbourne, Geelong and Victoria.
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