New priest takes over at St Luke’s
THE new priest in charge of one of Toowoomba’s most distinctive churches says he wants faith and religion to better reflect society in the 21st century.
Father Paul Mitchell was officially commissioned as the resident priest at St Luke’s Anglican Church on Saturday, surrounded by dozens of well-wishers and churchgoers.
The career theologian has spent time in parishes across Australia and overseas, but said he was excited to call Toowoomba home.
“I enjoy being part of this community; it’s a lovely, warm, welcoming place, not only with the people I’ve met in the church community but also across the city,” he said.
“(St Luke’s) is a beautiful building and a grand vision of what the church should look like across the Darling Downs.
“Sometimes we need to draw attention to things like that and that it’s also a great setting for some of the things that are happening in Toowoomba.”
Australia’s rates of religious acknowledgement are steadily declining and the latest census data shows more people selected “no religion” in 2016 than ever before.
But Father Mitchell said Australians were still spiritual, even if they didn’t follow organised religion.
“It’s interesting to determine what the census data is saying, because I think spiritual awareness is the highest that it is,” he said.
“Organised religion and the churches as institutions are receiving the same level of treatment that other institutions are right now.
“The way in which people engage with being part of an organisation has changed a lot.
“I take heart of that recognition that there are people aware of that spiritual side but who might not go to church.”
He said it was his responsibility to promote an inclusive environment at the church, especially for minority groups like refugees.
“Part of that is about being able to explore that Christian heritage and also what it means to be a church in the 21st century,” he said.
“It’s about embracing people rather than rejection of people.”
Away from his job, Father Mitchell said he enjoyed photography and bush-walking, adding that the Darling Downs was perfect for both activities.