Gary Nelson (bishop)

Gary Neville Nelson (born 15 May 1952)^[4] is an Australian Anglican bishop who served as Bishop of North West Australia (the largest diocese in geographical size in the Anglican Church of Australia, covering approximately a quarter of the Australian continent) from 26 May 2012^[5] to 15 May 2022.^[6]

The Right Reverend Gary Nelson
Bishop of North West Australia
Church	Anglican Church of Australia
Province	Province of Western Australia
Diocese	Diocese of North West Australia
Installed	26 May 2012[1]
Term ended	15 May 2022
Predecessor	David Mulready
Successor	Darrell Parker
Orders
Ordination	1983 (as priest)[2]
Consecration	14 April 2012 (St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney)[3] by Roger Herft[3]
Personal details
Born	Gary Neville Nelson (1952-05-15) 15 May 1952 (age 73)
Nationality	Australian
Denomination	Anglicanism
Spouse	Christine[3]
Alma mater	University of Sydney University of New South Wales Moore Theological College[4]

Early life

He grew up in Western Sydney and trained as a teacher at Sydney University. He spent two years with his wife in Papua New Guinea as missionary teachers.

Ministry

He was assistant curate in Dapto and later rector of Panania.

Nelson served as Director of External Studies at Moore Theological College from 2006 until his appointment as Bishop of North West Australia in 2012.^[5][7]

Nelson stated that in the event that same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia, if he believes that religious freedom is not adequately protected, he will refuse to register any marriages.^[8][9]

Nelson retired from the role of bishop on 15 May 2022, on reaching the retirement age of 70 years.^[6]