Fed: New head ADF chaplain ready for steep learning curve

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2001
Fed: New head ADF chaplain ready for steep learning curve

CANBERRA, April 24 AAP - The new Anglican bishop for the Australian Defence Forces
(ADF) said today he was young and inexperienced as he prepared to take up the job in June.

Tom Frame, a former naval officer, historian, author, theologian and frequent contributor
to print and broadcast media, is believed to be the youngest appointee to the position.

Dr Frame said he was surprised to gain the position at the age of 38.

"The thing that surprised me is my age and lack of experience. I acknowledge and confess
those things straight up front," he told ABC radio.

"Yes, I'll be the youngest bishop and I think I'm inexperienced in some regards.

"(But) I have had 14 years in the navy and in one sense, although I've been out of
the forces for some time, I haven't lost touch with things.

"So I'm hoping that over the coming months those with whom I'll work will help me very
quickly on this very steep learning curve and that I'll acquire all the things I need
to be a good servant to the chaplains and also to the Anglicans in the ADF."

Dr Frame, currently a parish priest at Bungendore, near Canberra, said his most recent
naval job was in personnel policy at defence headquarters.

Previously, he was studying for a PhD at the ADF Academy and before that was speechwriter
for the head of the navy.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1993.

"Some people think I could have done with a few more years but the position has come
along now," Dr Frame said.

"I've been encouraged by those whose wisdom I've been guided by in the past to allow
my name to go forward and I've been encouraged already by the response that my appointment
has received."

As Anglican bishop to the ADF, Dr Frame will provide policy advice as a member of the
services' religious advisory council, direct pastoral care to about 90 Anglican chaplains
and also help with recruiting chaplains into the forces.

AAP dep/was/las

KEYWORD: BISHOP (REISSUING)

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