Newton Theological College

This article is about the Anglican theological college in Popondetta, Papua New Guinea. For the former Baptist theological college in Massachusetts, see Newton Theological Institution.

Newton Theological College is a Papua New Guinean educational institution in Popondetta, Papua New Guinea. It trains candidates for ordination in the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea.

History

Anglican mission activity commenced in the Territory of Papua in 1891. Theological training was taking place in Dogura at least as early as 1918.^[1][2]

Originally located in Dogura, the base of the New Guinea Mission and the seat of the Bishop of New Guinea, Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral, Dogura,^[3] the college moved to Popondetta some years after the Mount Lamington volcanic eruption in 1951 as part of the rebuilding efforts. It was still located in Dogura in 1970.^[4]

In 1972 there was a proposal to relocate the college to near to the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.^[5] The proposal was still under active consideration in 1975.^[6] Instead it moved to Popondetta in 1981.^[7]

The college was originally named St Aidan's Theological College (along with the teacher training college, subsequently moved to Lae).^[8] It was separated from the teacher training college and renamed after the Rt Rev Henry Newton after his death in 1947.^[9]

Until 1977 the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea was the Diocese of New Guinea (renamed the Diocese of Papua New Guinea in 1971)^[10] and part of the Province of Queensland in what was then called the Church of England in Australia.

The college is supported financially by ABM-Australia.^[11]

Notable staff

• James Ayong, Principal, later Archbishop of Papua New Guinea^[12]
• Eric Lefroy Cassidy (formerly CA), Warden 1952-70^[13]
• Sister Margaret Dewey SSM^[14]
• Jeffrey Driver, acting Principal following retirement as Archbishop of Adelaide^[15]
• Robin Gill, theologian^[16]
• Michael Hough, Principal 1993-96, later Bishop of New Guinea Islands, Port Moresby, and Ballarat^[17]
• Roger Jupp, Principal 2000-2003, later Bishop of Popondetta
• Joseph Kopapa, acting Principal, 1999, later Bishop of Popondetta and Archbishop of Papua New Guinea^[18]
• Paul Richardson, Principal, later Bishop of Wangaratta
• Walter Siba, Principal, later Bishop of Ysabel^[19]

Notable alumni

• George Ambo, first Papuan to be an Anglican bishop^[20]
• James Ayong, Archbishop of Papua New Guinea ^[21]
• Clyde Igara, Archbishop of Papua New Guinea
• Rhynold Sanana, Bishop of Dogura^[22]

References

1. "Church And State". Papuan Courier. Vol. 8, no. 36. International, Australia. 13 September 1918. p. 4. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "NEW GUINEA ACTIVITIES". Healesville And Yarra Glen Guardian. Victoria, Australia. 15 January 1927. p. 3. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Papuan Bishop to Visit Western Australia". The Beverley Times. Vol. 62, no. 43. Western Australia. 4 November 1966. p. 6. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "A SACRIFICE BY SAMSON". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 26 June 1970. p. 18. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "'Massive aid' required". The Canberra Times. Vol. 47, no. 13, 248. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 October 1972. p. 3. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "New Anglican college for Moresby". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 4 December 1975. p. 4. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Curriculum Reform at Newton Theological College, "Melanesian Journal of Theology" 3-2 (1987) p 47" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2021.
8. "REV. JAMES BENSON". Circular Head Chronicle. Vol. XXXIX, no. 11. Tasmania, Australia. 20 March 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "Campbell, T W, Religious Communities of the Anglican Communion: Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, (2007: published privately), ISBN 9780975700426, p 138" (PDF). Retrieved 28 March 2021.
10. Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 1347.
11. "ABM-Australia: Newton Theological College". Retrieved 27 April 2021.
12. "Church Times: "Obituary – Canon Michael Francis Hunt", 1 November 2002, p 9". Retrieved 27 April 2021.
13. Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th Edition, p 157.
14. "Church Times: "Sister Margaret Dewey SSM", 16 June 2017, p 33". Retrieved 27 April 2021.
15. "Anglican Focus: Newton Theological College". Retrieved 27 April 2021.
16. "HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM FOR DOGURA". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 20 August 1971. p. 10. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
17. "Anglican News: Episcopal Appointments". Retrieved 28 April 2021.
18. "Anglican News: New Bishop for the Diocese of Popondetta". Retrieved 27 April 2021.
19. "Curriculum Reform at Newton Theological College, "Melanesian Journal of Theology" 3-2 (1987) p 47" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2021.
20. "Papuan Bishop to Visit Western Australia". The Beverley Times. Vol. 62, no. 43. Western Australia. 4 November 1966. p. 6. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
21. "Church Times: "Obituary – Canon Michael Francis Hunt", 1 November 2002, p 9". Retrieved 27 April 2021.
22. "2 new bishops for church". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 3 December 1975. p. 3. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.