While announcing that it had given $1 million to the No Campaign it also announced it was only dedicating a few thousand dollars to dealing with domestic violence in its ranks. Throughout the campaign associated with the unnecessary postal vote, which represents an equally irresponsible use of money by the government, I have been hearing stories of the effects that it has had on LGBTQI+ people and their friends, families and allies, both inside the church and out. LGBTQI+ people have been objectified, latent homophobia has been emboldened, lies have been peddled and many, many people have been hurt. The Anglican Diocese of Sydney’s inappropriate donation left me wondering why I persist with the Church. The second hit came as I began to hear details of Tony Abbott’s speech to the Global Warming Foundation in London. This is the speech that likened climate action to sacrificing goats to volcanos.

In this speech, Abbott showed himself the intellectual equal of Malcolm Roberts whose nonsensical analysis of climate change during his maiden speech will go down as one of the classic acts of self-satire. My feeling of despondency and paralysis were not caused by Tony Abbott’s latest descent into absurdity - I'm used to that - but rather the way his influence has led to the government’s unwillingness to lead in any meaningful way. Climate change is already affecting the lives of millions and causing suffering. Suffering that is not only dismissed but also mocked by the idea that we wouldn’t mind if the world was a little warmer. Queensland farmers are going broke and communities are depopulating as a result of the effects of something more than drought and Torres Strait Islanders are losing their land to the sea while Tony Abbot enjoys his slightly warmer world. The lack of government leadership was embodied in Josh Frydenberg’s announcement on the same day, against the advice of science and industry, that there will be no Clean Energy Target.

Loading My sense of disillusionment spread from not wanting to be part of the church to not wanting to be part of Australia. I went to bed last night sad and deflated. This morning, I have woken in a different mood. My paralysis, despondency and melancholy have given way to a renewed feeling of resolve. I feel animated by focused anger. My resolve is fuelled by the sense that Australia is better than Tony Abbott, the radical agenda he represents and the government he leads from the back bench. My resolve sees me wanting to encourage and assist the many people in community, business and industry who are taking seriously the need to deal with the environmental crisis and are doing so despite the lack of government leadership and assistance.

Loading My rekindled resolve also sees me wanting to redouble my efforts to encourage and support members of the LGBTQI+ community and to further the ‘Yes’ campaign. My hope is the result will show we are better than those who have taken the opportunity to unleash their hatred on fellow citizens want us to be. In terms of the Anglican Church, I woke remembering the church communities of which I have been and currently am a member over the past 30 years in different parts of Australia, including Sydney. These have been welcoming, accepting and encouraging of LGBTQI+ people. Surveys over the past few years have reminded us that the majority of people in our pews support marriage equality.

The Anglican Church I know and love is more generous, open and accepting than the decision of the Sydney Diocese to spend precious resources so inappropriately suggests. It is that experience of Church that sees me resolved to stay in the Church to further and defend. The Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt is Anglican Dean of Brisbane, based at St John’s Cathedral, and President of A Progressive Christian Voice Australia.