.gif)
Tom Frame (bishop)
Encyclopedia
Tom Frame is an Australia
n Anglican bishop
, historian
, academic, author
and social commentator.
Frame was born in Stanmore, New South Wales
and raised in Wollongong by his adoptive
parents.
in January 1979. Later that year, he was assigned to the destroyer escort as a junior officer under training, where he earned his helmsman's certificate. He graduated from the RAN College in December 1983. Frame completed his studies in Chinese history and economics at the University of New South Wales
, graduating with Bachelor of Arts
(honours), and the inaugural W.J. Liu Memorial Prize for Excellence in Chinese Studies in 1984.
Frame was the inaugural Summer Vacation Scholar at the Australian War Memorial
in 1985, then completed his training aboard HMA Ships and . He was then assigned to the shore establishment as an instructor. While there, he took on additional duty as director of the base's museum, while also working as a consultant for the Australian National Maritime Museum
and studying for a Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne
.
Frame was appointed Research Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff
at Navy Office, Canberra in April 1988. Two years later he undertook study in military history at the Australian Defence Force Academy
leading to the award of a PhD
in October 1991, taking as his thesis topic the Melbourne-Voyager collision
. He served as a staff officer at the Headquarters, Australian Defence Force
, then resigned from the RAN in November 1992.
.jpg)
Frame then completed a Master
of Theology
degree with a thesis entitled The Delphic Sword: Reconciling Christianity and Military Service in Australia and trained for the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Australia
in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
He was ordained
in December 1993 and appointed curate of St John’s Church in Wagga Wagga and a Visiting Scholar at Charles Sturt University
. In November 1995, he was inducted as Rector
of St James’ Church, Binda.
From 1996 to 1997, he took leave in England and completed a Master of Arts
(Honours) in applied theology at the University of Kent
at Canterbury
as the Lucas Tooth Scholar and ministered in the United Benefice
of Hever
, Four Elms
and Markbeech
in the Diocese of Rochester
.
He became Rector of St Philip’s Church, Bungendore, in January 1999 and was appointed lecturer (half-time) in public theology at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in June 2000. He was also a Visiting Fellows in the School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Australian National University from 1999 to 2003.
On 28 June 2001, he was consecrated bishop
and became the first full-time Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force
. He was the youngest Anglican bishop in Australia when consecrated and the fifth youngest in the nation's history. He was Patron of the Armed Forces Federation of Australia (2002-06), a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial (2004-07) and judged the Inaugural Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History in 2007.
in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, the administrative headquarters of the School of Theology of Charles Sturt University
with the title of Professor. He was Head of the School of Theology from November 2006 to June 2008.
(ABC), on military history, church history and social matters.
Frame was the only Anglican bishop to support the Government of Australia
in its support for the March 2003 invasion of Iraq
. On 18 June 2004 he recanted that support in a newspaper article titled "Forgive me, I was wrong on Iraq" in which he said, in part, "... in the absence of any clear mitigation, there is no alternative to concluding that the March 2003 invasion was neither just nor necessary ... I continue to seek God's forgiveness for my complicity in creating a world in which this sort of action was ever considered to be necessary."
He co-authored:
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Anglican bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, academic, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and social commentator.
Frame was born in Stanmore, New South Wales
Stanmore, New South Wales
Stanmore is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. Stanmore is located 6 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of Marrickville Council.-History:...
and raised in Wollongong by his adoptive
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
parents.
Career
After commencing his education at West Wollongong Infants School (1968-70), West Wollongong Primary School (1971-74, awarded Dux in 1974) and Wollongong High Schools (1975-78), Frame joined the Royal Australian Navyal College, HMAS Creswell as a 16-year-old junior entry cadet midshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
in January 1979. Later that year, he was assigned to the destroyer escort as a junior officer under training, where he earned his helmsman's certificate. He graduated from the RAN College in December 1983. Frame completed his studies in Chinese history and economics at the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, graduating with Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(honours), and the inaugural W.J. Liu Memorial Prize for Excellence in Chinese Studies in 1984.
Frame was the inaugural Summer Vacation Scholar at the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
in 1985, then completed his training aboard HMA Ships and . He was then assigned to the shore establishment as an instructor. While there, he took on additional duty as director of the base's museum, while also working as a consultant for the Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is a federally-operated maritime museum located in Darling Harbour, Sydney. After consideration of the idea to establish a maritime museum, the Federal government announced that a national maritime museum would be constructed at Darling Harbour, tied into...
and studying for a Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
Frame was appointed Research Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff
Chief of Navy (Australia)
The Chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence...
at Navy Office, Canberra in April 1988. Two years later he undertook study in military history at the Australian Defence Force Academy
Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
leading to the award of a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in October 1991, taking as his thesis topic the Melbourne-Voyager collision
Melbourne-Voyager collision
The Melbourne-Voyager collision, also referred to as the "Melbourne-Voyager incident" or simply the "Voyager incident", was a collision between two warships of the Royal Australian Navy ; the aircraft carrier and the destroyer...
. He served as a staff officer at the Headquarters, Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
, then resigned from the RAN in November 1992.
Ministry
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
of Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
degree with a thesis entitled The Delphic Sword: Reconciling Christianity and Military Service in Australia and trained for the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Australia
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
He was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in December 1993 and appointed curate of St John’s Church in Wagga Wagga and a Visiting Scholar at Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus university located in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. It has campuses at Bathurst, Canberra, Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Burlington, Ontario...
. In November 1995, he was inducted as Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of St James’ Church, Binda.
From 1996 to 1997, he took leave in England and completed a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(Honours) in applied theology at the University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
at Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
as the Lucas Tooth Scholar and ministered in the United Benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
of Hever
Hever, Kent
Hever is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the River Eden, a tributary of the River Medway, east of Edenbridge. It is by in extent, and in area...
, Four Elms
Four Elms
Four Elms is a village within the civil parish of Hever in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The village is located on a crossroads between Edenbridge and Sevenoaks, two miles northeast of the former place....
and Markbeech
Markbeech
Markbeech is a village in the civil parish of Hever in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The village is located on the northern slopes of the Weald, nine miles north-west of Tunbridge Wells....
in the Diocese of Rochester
Diocese of Rochester
The Diocese of Rochester is a Church of England diocese in South-East England and forms part of the Province of Canterbury. It is an ancient diocese, having been established in 604; only the neighbouring Diocese of Canterbury is older in the Church of England....
.
He became Rector of St Philip’s Church, Bungendore, in January 1999 and was appointed lecturer (half-time) in public theology at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in June 2000. He was also a Visiting Fellows in the School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Australian National University from 1999 to 2003.
On 28 June 2001, he was consecrated bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
and became the first full-time Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
. He was the youngest Anglican bishop in Australia when consecrated and the fifth youngest in the nation's history. He was Patron of the Armed Forces Federation of Australia (2002-06), a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial (2004-07) and judged the Inaugural Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History in 2007.
Academic career
Frame resigned as Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force in November 2006 to become the Director of St Mark's National Theological Centre at BartonBarton, Australian Capital Territory
Barton is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Barton is named after Sir Edmund Barton, Australia's first Prime Minister. Streets in Barton are named after Governors....
in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, the administrative headquarters of the School of Theology of Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus university located in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. It has campuses at Bathurst, Canberra, Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Burlington, Ontario...
with the title of Professor. He was Head of the School of Theology from November 2006 to June 2008.
Social comment
Frame is a regular commentator on radio, notably the Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
(ABC), on military history, church history and social matters.
Frame was the only Anglican bishop to support the Government of Australia
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
in its support for the March 2003 invasion of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. On 18 June 2004 he recanted that support in a newspaper article titled "Forgive me, I was wrong on Iraq" in which he said, in part, "... in the absence of any clear mitigation, there is no alternative to concluding that the March 2003 invasion was neither just nor necessary ... I continue to seek God's forgiveness for my complicity in creating a world in which this sort of action was ever considered to be necessary."
Family
Frame married Helen (Bardsley), a pianist, secondary school science teacher and former Army Reserve Officer, in December 1983 at Huskisson, NSW. They have two daughters (Megan (1987) and Kelly (1989)) and two granddaughters (Lily and Imogen) who all live in Canberra. He relocated to the rural village of Tarago (north-east of Canberra) in 2010 where he resides on a small rural property while serving as an honorary assistant priest in the Parish of Bungendore.Publications
Frame is the author (or editor) of more than 25 books, including:- The Garden Island (1990)
- He was convenor of the first Australian Naval History Seminar and co-edited its proceedings, Reflections on the RAN (1991)
- Where Fate Calls: The HMAS Voyager Tragedy (1992) [on which the 1992 Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's Four Corners television documentary The Cruel Legacy was based] - Pacific Partners: A History of Australian-American Naval Relations (1992)
- HMAS Sydney: Loss and Controversy (1993) (on which the 1993 Channel 9Nine NetworkThe Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
television documentary No Survivor was based] - Binding Ties: an experience of adoption and reunion in Australia (1999), [autobiographical]
- The Shores of Gallipoli: Naval Aspects of the Anzac Campaign (2000)
- A Church for a Nation: The History of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn (2000) [Second Prize, 2002 Australian Christian Literature Society's Australian Christian Book of the Year awards]
- Mutiny! Naval Insurrections in Australia and New Zealand (2001)
- "Anglicanism in Australia: A History" (2002) [co-edited]
- "No Pleasure Cruise: The Story of the Royal Australian Navy" (2004)
- Living by the Sword? The Ethics of Armed Intervention (2004) [Second Prize, 2005 Australian Christian Literature Society's Australian Christian Book of the Year awards]
- The Life and Death of Harold Holt (2005)
- "The Cruel Legacy: The HMAS Voyager Tragedy" (2005)
- "Church and State: Australia's Imaginary Wall" (2006)
- "Agendas for Australian Anglicanism: Essays in Honour of Bruce Kaye" (2006) [co-edited]
- "Anglicans in Australia" (2007)
- "Children on Demand: The Ethics of Defying Nature" (2008)
- "HMAS Sydney: Australia's Greatest Naval Tragedy" (2008)
- "Evolution in the Antipodes: Charles Darwin and Australia" (2009)
- "Losing My Religion: Unbelief in Australia" (2009) [Winner, 2010 Australian Christian Literature Society's Australian Christian Book of the Year awards]
- "Called to Minister: Vocational Discernment in the Contemporary Church" (2010) [edited]
He co-authored:
- First In, Last Out! The Navy at GallipoliGallipoliThe Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
(1990) - Where the Rivers Run: A History of the Anglican Parish of Wagga Wagga (1995)
- Labouring in Vain: A History of Bishopthorpe (1996)
- The Seven Churches of Binda: the history of an Anglican rural parish (1998)
- "Stromlo: An Australian Observatory" (2003)
- "Defining Convictions and Decisive Commitments: The 39 Articles in Contemporary Anglicanism" (2010)