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Philip Huggins

Philip James Huggins (born 16 October 1948) is a bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia. He was the ninth bishop of Grafton.[1]

Early life

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Huggins was educated at Monash University.[2]

A former hippie,[3] he was a teacher of Transcendental Meditation at the Nimbin Aquarius Festival until he had a personal encounter with the Risen Christ and became a Christian[4] leading to him being ordained in 1977.

Ordained career

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He began his ordained ministry in the Diocese of Bendigo. After this he was an industrial chaplain in the Diocese of Melbourne and a chaplain at Monash University.

In 1988, he was the unsuccessful Labor candidate for the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Berwick.[3]

From 1991, he was the Vicar of Williamstown, and from 1994, the Archdeacon of Essendon.

He was a regional bishop in the Diocese of Perth from 1995 to 1998, where Peter Carnley was his mentor.[3]

He was the diocesan bishop of Grafton from 1998 to 2003. He chaired Anglicare Australia while he was there.[5]

In 2010, Huggins was working as vicar-general in the Diocese of Ballarat. Michael Hough, in his final act before resigning as bishop of Ballarat due to bullying allegations, attempted to sack Huggins, prompting the archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, to intervene and revoke the sacking.[6][7]

He has been a regional bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne since that time.[8]

Personal life

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He is married to Elizabeth Cuming, a psychologist and artist.[9][4]

He is friends with Russell Crowe.[3]

Positions

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Churchmanship

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A liberal Anglo-Catholic, he regarded Pope Francis highly.[10] Despite his liberalism, he has orthodox beliefs regarding the resurrection of Christ.[10]

He promotes meditation accompanied with Christian social action.[11][10][12] In 2025, he was the master of ceremonies for the multi-faith Inner Peace and Outer Peace gathering.[10]

Social Gospel

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Huggins is the chair of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne's Social Responsibility Committee and Multi-Cultural Ministry Committee, and Chair of Board of Brotherhood of St Laurence. He is co-Chair of Christian World Service Commission (ACT for Peace), board member of St Laurence Community Services and a member of the Australian Churches Anti-Gambling Taskforce. He is on the Board of the Centre of Dialogue (La Trobe University) and the Australian Intercultural Society Advisory Board.[13]

In 2025, he offered a message of support to Mariann Budde, after she gave a sermon in support of immigrants and LGBT people in the presence of Donald Trump.[14]

He has voiced opposition to the AFL playing games on Good Friday.[15]

Indigenous affairs and colonialism

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He supported the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum and the Uluru Statement From the Heart.[16][17] In 2020, he led prayer at the National Solemn Assembly for the Healing of the Land.[18]

He also supports the West Papuans' call for self-determination and independence.[19]

Environmentalism

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An environmentalist, he is the Patron of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. He is also a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Interfaith Liaison Committee and uses this role to pressure political leaders on climate change.[20][21] In 2018, he opposed the establishment of the Adani Coal Mine in north Queensland.[22][23][24]

Ecumenism

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Huggins is the former chair of the Anglican General Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee.[25] He is a leader in interfaith dialogue.[26]

He is the President of the National Council of Churches in Australia and Director of the Centre for Ecumenical Studies at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and has worked for Christian unity.[27][28]

Refugees and immigrant affairs

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Huggins has also protested on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers.[29][30][31]

In 2012, he raised concerns about the Federal Labor Government's "Significant Investor" visa programme, fearing it threatened Australia's "national character".[32]

He has interacted with the South Sudanese community in Melbourne and offered support when they have lost their children to gangs or faced media criticism.[33][34][7]

In 2023, he held a joint service with leaders of Melbourne's Hare Krishna community to promote safety in places of worship.[35]

Also in 2023, he attended a function for world peace organised by Melbourne's Indian community and supported ongoing efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countrues.[36]

He is an opponent of antisemitism.[37][38][39]

Consistent life ethic and Christian pacifism

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Huggins upholds the sanctity of life and is an opponent of euthanasia.[40]

He is a member of the National Executive of Religions for Peace Australia.[41][42]

He became the secretary of the Australian chapter of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship after the retirement of David Thawley.[43]

References

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  1. ^ Diocesan Year Book
  2. ^ Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
  3. ^ a b c d "Anglicans install ex-hippy as bishop". 17 January 2004.
  4. ^ a b "Board and Patron". Meditation Association of ustralia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Anglicare Australia Annual Report" (PDF). Anglicare Australia. 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  6. ^ Zwartz, Barney (23 December 2010). "Bishop's sacking revoked". The Age. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b Fletcher, David (2 February 2018). "Australia: bishop advocates for refugees". Crosswinds Prayer Trust. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Anglican Communion". Archived from the original on 1 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Anglican Communion Directory, March 2000". justus.anglican.org.
  10. ^ a b c d Huggins, Philip (30 April 2025). "A peace reflection after Easter, remembering Pope Francis and Anzac Day". johnmenadue.com. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  11. ^ Huggins, Philip; Perton, Victor. "The Importance And Usefulness Of Our Meditation Practice Now: Huggins". centreforoptimism.com. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  12. ^ Huggins, Philip (16 July 2025). "Living here and now with "Prophetic Imagination"". Religions for Peace Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Bishop Philip Huggins". Australian Intercultural Society. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  14. ^ Scholl, Lesa (1 February 2025). "'Thank you for speaking what people don't want to hear': St Silas' parishioner". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  15. ^ Huggins, Philip (24 February 2017). "Media release: AFL's scheduled Good Friday match in 2017 another win for market, not for people". Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2025 – via The Melbourne Anglican.
  16. ^ Huggins, Philip; Perton, Victor. "Bishop Philip Huggins: Healing the Wounds of History". centreforoptimism.com. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  17. ^ Huggins, Philip (August 2022). "Rewording the Australian Constitution: A Voice to Parliament" (PDF). Engage. No. 10. Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. pp. 5–6. ISSN 2652-4333. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  18. ^ Huggins, Philip (6 October 2020). "Indigenous-Led National Solemn Assembly for "The Healing of the Land" — A Reflection". The Daily Declaration. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  19. ^ Huggins, Philip (12 January 2025). "Anglican Parish of the Parks" (PDF). parishoftheparks.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Bishop Philip Huggins". betterfutures.org.au. April 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  21. ^ Taylor, Jenan (20 November 2023). "Faith groups push for climate action in lead up to COP 28". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  22. ^ Shearer, Chris (19 April 2018). "Faith leaders unite to oppose plans for new coal mine in Northern Queensland". Anglican Communion News Service. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  23. ^ Huggins, Philip (2 December 2024). "Rising Tide in Canberra: A Bishop Reflects". Religions for Peace Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Open Letter Climate Justice". arrcc.org.au. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  25. ^ LCA Communications (11 July 2016). "New President for National Churches Body". Lutheran Church of Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.]
  26. ^ Zajac, Philip (26 May 2024). "Community Message". Jewish Community Council of Victoria. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  27. ^ Huggins, Philip; Perton, Victor. "A Morning Prayer for Optimists: Bishop Philip Huggins". centreforoptimism.com. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  28. ^ Huggins, Philip (14 October 2021). "Day 14: May They All Be One". The Daily Declaration. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  29. ^ Kernebone, Elspeth (7 February 2022). "Why two bishops locked themselves in a cage". Anglican Ink. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  30. ^ Taylor, Jenan (23 August 2024). "'One day longer, one day stronger': Refugee freedom push draws Anglican support". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  31. ^ Parish, Sophie; Martin, Betsan (February 2014). "What is a Christian response to refugees and migrants?" (PDF). Touchstone. The Methodist Publishing Company. p. 10. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  32. ^ Zwartz, Barney (26 November 2012). "Visas for rich investors 'threaten national character': Bishop". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  33. ^ Greaves, Jeremy (22 June 2024). "People on the move: Archbishop's address". anotherplacetoparty.net. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  34. ^ Baker, Nick (26 July 2018). "Bishop warns politicians against stoking 'gang fears'". SBS News. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  35. ^ Taylor, Jenan (6 February 2023). "Worshipper safety, freedom common ground for faith leaders". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  36. ^ IN Bureau (24 April 2023). "Narendra Modi 'most secular and progressive' PM in the history of independent India, declare religious and spiritual leaders in Australia". India Narrative. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  37. ^ "Anglican Bishop Philip Huggins". Religions for Peace Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Bishop Philip Huggins". Religions for Peace Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  39. ^ Taylor, Jenan (11 December 2024). "Antisemitism 'is hate … and it has implications for everybody': Bishop". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  40. ^ Huggins, P. (2010). "Sanctity of Life". anglican.org.au. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  41. ^ Huggins, Philip (4 October 2024). "Beginning Again: Praying for a Sustained Peace". Religions for Peace Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  42. ^ Taylor, Jenan (15 June 2025). "Christians can ease suffering in Gaza". The Melbourne Anglican. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  43. ^ "Anglican Pacifist Fellowship - worldwide". Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Bishop of Grafton
1998–2003 		Succeeded by