Reconciliation Australia congratulates Biripa woman Karen Kime on her recent ordination as the first female Aboriginal archdeacon in the Anglican Church in Australia.
Co-Chair Dr Tom Calma said the appointment shows that the Anglican Church is committed to building better relationships between the Church and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
“Archdeacon Kime is a strong believer in reconciliation and has devoted her life to creating better opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” Dr Calma said.
“She is passionate about the needs of Aboriginal people living on the land — and it’s great to see the Anglican Church embracing its Indigenous leaders.”
As Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministry and Manager for Indigenous Services, Culture and Education, Archdeacon Kime will work across three dioceses in the ACT and NSW to identify opportunities for new Anglicare services to Indigenous communities.
Her role will also enable better pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into ministry.
Archdeacon Kime served for over 25 years in Anglican parishes across the Riverina spending the past 18 months as the acting rector at St Johns Anglican Church in Wagga Wagga before her recent appointment to Archdeacon.
She has worked as a lecturer at Charles Sturt University where she wrote the first Aboriginal studies subjects for those studying to be primary school teachers and social workers.
She was the first Aboriginal woman to be ordained as a priest in New South Wales.
