Emotions run high, communities vow to fight after Anglican Church votes to sell off 76 churches

RON Sonners struggled with his emotions as he dealt with the fallout from his community church being listed for sale.

Ron Sonners, of Hamilton, at the Anglican Church synod at Riverside. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

RON Sonners struggled with his emotions as he dealt with the fallout from his community church being listed for sale.

The Central Highlands resident, who is part of the Hamilton parish, tried to stop the motion to sell property, but his attempt at yesterday’s Anglican Diocese of Tasmania Synod did not win support.

“Losing the building in which we worship will have a serious impact on the parish,” Mr Sonners said.

“We have wounds from a former paedophile priest which are just healing and we are slowly getting people back into the church.

“I do not accept that we are unviable as a parish.

“This vote does not shake my faith and we will continue as a parish in some form, but it would be fair to say we feel sidelined.”

Mr Sonners’ family came to the Central Highlands pre-1900 and his ancestors are buried in the graveyard associated with St Peter’s Church at Hamilton.

“Rural Tasmanian parishes really have worn the brunt of this [redress commitment],” he said.

“It is an emotional day for us and I will struggle to take this decision back to my community.”

Bishop Richard Condie at the Anglican Church synod at Riverside. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The Hamilton parish will be one of many expected to appeal to the Diocese to have their church taken off the list of properties for sale, which includes 76 churches.

The final decision will be made in December.

Tasman Mayor Roseanne Heyward said the council would make a submission against the St Alban’s Church at Koonya being sold.

“We’re shattered,” she said.

“People are devastated that the church sale is happening, it’s very, very sad and very, very cruel.

“Of course the city churches are supportive of the redress scheme, their churches aren’t being sold, it’s the small rural churches being sold.

“We all feel like we’re being punished for something we didn’t do.”

The Mercury was told last week that a mainland benefactor had already made inquiries about buying up all the churches which end up on the market as a bulk lot so they could be gifted back to the community.

Some parishes are also talking about trying to buy their community church.

Kevin Bailey from St Martin’s in Queenstown said the parish wanted to pay a levy to save its church.

“We have seen a big increase in the people coming to our church. We are feeding people who have not eaten for four days. The building is needed to do that,” Mr Bailey said.