By NARELLE COULTER
THE St James’ Anglican Church community is in mourning after the death this month of two former priests.
Bishop Barbara Darling, who served as priest for three years at Dandenong, died on Sunday 15 February aged 67.
Bishop Darling, who was the second woman consecrated in Australia, was due to officiate at the funeral service of another former St James priest Elizabeth Alfred, who died aged 101 on 2 February.
However, Bishop Darling suffered a stroke on 7 February, just three days before Reverend Alfred’s funeral, and did not recover.
Reverend Jeff Parker said both women were beloved by the St James community.
“There is a lot of shock and grief in the parish family at the moment,“ he said.
Bishop Darling was made a deacon in 1986, the first occasion when women were ordained in the Anglican Church of Australia.
In 1992 she and Elizabeth Alfred were ordained to the priesthood, the group being the first of women priests in the Diocese of Melbourne.
Bishop Darling was born in Sydney and became a high school teacher and librarian before moving to Melbourne to study theology.
She served at Ascot Vale and All Souls’ Sandringham, before moving to Dandenong in 2005 where she ministered until 2008.
St James stalwart Marleen Newell said Bishop Darling was a devout Christian, who was always interested in the welfare of her parishoners.
“We were rejoicing when she was chosen as a bishop. We were all very proud even though we lost her as our vicar.“
Ms Newell was in St Paul’s Cathedral the day of Bishop Darling’s historic consecration.
“It was an enomous occasion, the cathedral was absolutely packed.
“A lot of the women who were part of MOW (Movement for the Ordination of Women)
had put purple streaks in their hair, which they used as a symbol to honour her.“
Bishop Darling visited Dandenong last year to take part in St James’ 150th anniversary celebrations.
Elizabeth Alfred was also among the group of pioneering Anglican women who were ordained priests in 1992.
Reverend Alfred was born in Yarrawonga in 1914.
During her career in the Anglican Church she served as a deaconess, deacon and priest.
Reverend Parker, who had been involved with St James’ since the 1960s, recorded her memories in her 2001 autobiography To Serve.
Reverend Parker described Reverend Alfred as a “remarkable person“.
“She was humble and faithful and people loved her.
“She had been gone a long time from here but people kept in contact with her.
“She was everything a priest should be.
“She was gracious and a wonderful role model.“
Reverend Alfred’s funeral was held at St James’ Church on 10 February.
Bishop Darling was farewelled at St Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday.
