St John’s. Darlinghurst, the Rev Dr Matthew Wilcoxen, has been sworn in as a chaplain for the Kings Cross district.

The acting commander of the Sydney City Police Command, Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald, and senior police chaplain the

Rev Andrew Nixon, inducted Canon Allan and introduced him to a gathering that included Archbishop Raffel, Bishop Michael Stead, Dean of the Cathedral Sandy Grant, acting Assistant Commissioner Martin Fileman and operational officers at the Day Street Police Station – which is close to Darling Harbour.

Visit anglicanaid.org.au/grace-abounding or call 02 9284 1406 ABN 28 525 237 517 GIVE TODAY TO A WORLD IN NEED SEE GRACE ABOUNDING THIS END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 0289_AA_SC_Ad_EOFY_L3.indd 1 18/4/2023 11:45 am SouthernCross March–April 2023 9 regardless of what faith they come from or belief, it’s another support mechanism for our police. Chris is well known in the city and the parish, so we look forward to building further relationships with him.”

After being sworn in and presented with a chaplain’s scarf, hard hat and police hi-vis vest, Canon Allan said his appointment was a privilege.

“We pray in the Cathedral every single week for the police here in the city,” he said. “We’re thankful for them and we know it’s an extraordinarily difficult and often thankless job. So when Andrew [Nixon] asked me if there was an opportunity for me to serve, I said ‘Absolutely!’

“I’m expecting to be able to help the wonderful officers who serve here in the City of Sydney – to be a support to them and to be a listening ear when they need it.”

Dr Wilcoxen’s investiture was part of the annual awards ceremony at Kings Cross, where he was warmly welcomed by the commander of the Police Area Command, Detective Superintendent Jonathan Beard APM VA.

The Kings Cross Police Command spans a diverse range of people, from those living on the streets to some of the wealthiest people in the nation. Dr Wilcoxen is committed to the local community and is a director of Rough Edges, a long-standing and respected ministry of St John’s that provides essential care to many people living on the margins.

“The core values of St John’s, Darlinghurst are truth, goodness and beauty, and me serving as a police chaplain to our local station is just one way that we can serve the common good,” Dr Wilcoxen told Southern Cross “I am looking forward to helping police officers of any faith, or no faith at all, to flourish amidst the complexities of their work.” SC