Father Rod Bower - He Really Is Outspoken

Photo Credit: TEDxSydney

We talk to Fr Rod Bower on Season 2 of In The Spirit of Things Conversations beginning January 1 2021. His story is inspiring. On July 24 2013, Anglican priest Rod Bower put up these words on the roadside sign of his Gosford parish church. 'Dear Christians. Some PPL are gay. Get over it. Love God.'

Next he posted them on Facebook, sparking a social media revolution. The post was shared thousands of times - suddenly the one-time butcher was on the public stage.

Today Fr Rod has close to 65,000 followers on social media. He uses this platform to raise questions about Australia's corporate soul, to assert that we are all brothers and sisters - asylum seekers, Muslims, those identifying as LGBTI, Indigenous Australians .... and for such messages, the death threats pour in.

How did a shy adopted kids from the country become this steadfast conscience of our nation, preaching both peace and disruption? We find out how and why in our conversation join us.

About The Venerable Rod Bower

The Venerable Rod Bower is an Anglican priest, and Archdeacon for Justice Ministries and Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Newcastle. He is an ambassador for the Refugee Council of Australia.

Fr. Rod is a passionate advocate for a number of social justice and human rights issues, including marriage equality. He believes that our treatment of Asylum Seekers, the lack of action on climate change and the failure to adequately recognize First Nations people damages our communal soul.

It has been said the he takes “a hard line on compassion”, he is committed to building social and cultural capital and contributing to the evolution of an Australia where there is respect, peace and harmony. Fr. Rod is married to Kerry, also a passionate advocate for Asylum Seekers; they have two married children and four grandchildren.

Fr. Rod received the 2016 Doha International Award for Interfaith Dialogue, he was named Abyssinian of the year by the Muslim Community and was a finalist nominee for 2018 Human Rights Medal. He is the author of ‘Outspoken’.