The Dobbs Family, MT OUSLEY NSW 2519
7 June 2009
Dear Christian Friends
A victory for Christianity
Last Wednesday, when we were attending a preliminary hearing by the diocesan Disciplinary Tribunal in connection with a point about Emma Nicholls’ charges, each of the Tribunal members heard how Machelle and I and the whole of our family have been treated by certain members of the former and current leadership of Figtree parish. The Tribunal members themselves were so concerned that they took the unprecedented step of intervening in the matter to negotiate and draft a compromise, the first clause of which is that they will recommend to the Archbishop that all the charges should be withdrawn and dismissed.
The Tribunal members also negotiated a clause saying that Assistant Bishop Al Stewart is to make a video announcing this, which is to be shown at all three services at Figtree Anglican church one Sunday and his message should also recommend that steps be taken in the parish to lead the way to a reconciliation and restoration process towards Machelle and me and the whole family. In addition, the Director PSU, Mr. Phillip Gerber is to write to the present Rector and tell him that the restrictions contained in a letter from the last rector to me are inappropriate.
The Tribunal members and Dr. Seldon (who was there as Registrar of the Diocese and the Tribunal and who was also active in negotiating the terms of the compromise) each personally guaranteed to me that the recommendations would be put into effect in good faith. They saw to it that Mr. Phillip Gerber signed the document on behalf of the diocese.
Sadly now, Mr. Gerber, who is to leave the position of Director PSU in Sydney Diocese early next month to go to the Northern Territory, is anticipating some problems with the response of Figtree Anglican Church’s current rector the Rev. Ian Barnett and the Assistant Bishop Al Stewart. I cannot believe that these men would fail to honour the Christian commitment that the Tribunal members and Dr. Seldon, and through them, the Archbishop, are relying on. I cannot believe that they would want to bring the personal integrity of these Tribunal members and Dr. Seldon into disrepute. We may have to wait while Mr. Gerber’s attitude is examined and the situation clarified. And as he is leaving his position and Sydney diocese after 3 July perhaps we can at least look forward to the intentions of the Tribunal members and Dr. Seldon in these recommendations to the Archbishop to be carried out in good faith by the Rector and Assistant Bishop Al Stewart, perhaps assisted by someone else in Mr. Gerber’s place, after that date.
Please continue to pray for all of us –
Christopher, Nathan, Eleesha, Charis, Tiara, Cheyenne, Scott and Machelle Dobbs