View source for Biography:Anthony Fisher

{{Short description|Catholic Archbishop of Sydney}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type                    = Archbishop
| honorific-prefix        = [[Religion:The Most Reverend|The Most Reverend]] 
| name                    = Anthony Fisher
| honorific-suffix        = {{small|OP}}
| title                   = Archbishop of Sydney
| image                   = Anthony_Fisher_appearing_on_"After_Dark"_on_30_May_1994.jpg
| caption                 = On British television discussion program<br/>''After Dark'' in May 1994
| province                = Ecclesiastical Province of Sydney
| archdiocese             = Sydney
| metropolis              = Sydney
| see                     = 
| appointed               = 18 September 2014
| enthroned               = 12 November 2014
| predecessor             = George Pell
| successor               =
| other_post              = Member of the [[Religion:Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith|Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]<br/>Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life<br/>Member of the [[Religion:Congregation for the Oriental Churches|Congregation for the Oriental Churches]]
| ordination              = 14 September 1991
| ordained_by             = Eusebius Crawford
| consecration            = 3 September 2003
| consecrated_by          = George Pell
| cardinal                =
| rank                    = Archbishop
| occupation              = {{unbulleted list|[[Religion:Prelate|Prelate]]|[[Philosophy:Bioethics|Bioethicist]]|[[Social:Solicitor|Solicitor]]}}
| previous_post           = {{plainlist|
*Bishop of Parramatta {{small|(2010–2014)}}
*Titular Bishop of Buruni {{small|(2003–2010)}}
*Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney {{small|(2003–2010)}} }}
| birth_name              = Anthony Colin Fisher<ref name="VPO">{{cite press release|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2004/08/04/0384/01232.pdf|title=Rinunce e nomine|publisher=Vatican Press Office|date=18 September 2014|access-date=18 September 2014}}</ref>
| birth_date              = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1960|3|10}}
| birth_place             = Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia
| death_date              =
| death_place             =
| buried                  =
| nationality             = Australian
| religion                = Roman Catholic
| alma_mater              = {{unbulleted list|University of Sydney|Yarra Theological Union|[[Organization:University College, Oxford|University College, Oxford]]}}
| motto                   = {{lang|la|Veritatem facientes in caritate}}<br/>("Speaking the truth in love")
| coat_of_arms            = Coat of arms of Anthony Fisher.svg
}}
{{Ordination 
| ordained deacon by = 
| date of diaconal ordination = 
| place of diaconal ordination = 
| ordained priest by = Eusebius Crawford
| date of priestly ordination = 14 September 1991
| place of priestly ordination = Church of the Holy Name, Wahroonga
| consecrated by  = George Pell (Sydney)
| co-consecrators = Edward Clancy (Sydney)<br />Bernard Cyril O'Grady (Gizo)
| date of consecration = 3 September 2003
| place of consecration = St Mary's Cathedral, [[Place:Sydney|Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia
| bishop 1        = Richard Umbers
| consecration date 1  = 	24 August 2016
| bishop 2        = Anthony Randazzo
| consecration date 2  = 	24 August 2016
| bishop 3        = Greg Homeming
| consecration date 3  = 	22 February 2017
| bishop 4        = Brian Mascord
| consecration date 4  = 	22 February 2018
| bishop 5        = Daniel Meagher
| consecration date 5  = 	8 December 2021
| sources = 
}}
{{Infobox archbishop styles
 |archbishop name=Anthony Fisher
 |dipstyle = [[Religion:The Most Reverend|The Most Reverend]] 
 |offstyle = Your Grace or My Lord Archbishop
 |relstyle = [[Religion:Archbishop|Archbishop]]
 |deathstyle =
 |image= Coat of arms of Anthony Fisher.svg
}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
'''Anthony Colin Fisher''' {{small|OP}} (born 10 March 1960) is an Australian prelate of the [[Organization:Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] and a friar of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). Since 12 November 2014, he has been the ninth Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. He served as the third Bishop of Parramatta from 4 March 2010 to 12 November 2014, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

==Early life and education==
Fisher was born the eldest of five children in Crows Nest, Sydney, to Gloria Maguregui, whose father was of Spanish Basque origin and whose mother was half Italian and half Romanian – she migrated with her family to Australia from Asia in the 1950s – and Colin Fisher, a pharmacist from Ashfield with Anglo-Irish roots.<ref name=ncr>{{Cite web |title=Meet Sydney's New Shepherd, Archbishop Anthony Fisher|first=Tom|last=Wehner|work=National Catholic Register |date=12 November 2014|access-date=18 December 2014|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/meet-sydneys-new-shepherd-archbishop-anthony-fisher}}</ref> He was baptised at St Therese's Church, Lakemba and attended the parish school in 1965 and 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parra.catholic.org.au/about-your-diocese/history/former-bishops/bishop-anthony/most-rev-anthony-fisher-op.aspx|title=Profile|publisher=Roman Catholic Diocese of Parramatta|date=8 January 2010|access-date=19 September 2014|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320195443/http://www.parra.catholic.org.au/about-your-diocese/history/former-bishops/bishop-anthony/most-rev-anthony-fisher-op.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Fisher family lived in Belmore, Canterbury and Wiley Park before moving to Longueville and Manly.

Fisher attended St Michael's Primary School in Lane Cove, Holy Cross College Ryde and Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, where he was dux in 1977. He studied at the University of Sydney for six years, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in history with first-class honours and a Bachelor of Laws. He then practised law at the commercial law firm Clayton Utz where he drafted contracts for the redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Building.<ref name="SMH07">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-turbocharged-bishop/2007/09/28/1190486569891.html|title=The turbocharged bishop&nbsp;– National|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Fairfax Media|date=29 September 2007|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> He took leave from his job as a lawyer to go backpacking around Europe to discern his vocation.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bishop Anthony's Theology on Tap Address - Part 3|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BrFMqG2mhA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/_BrFMqG2mhA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-10-24}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Priesthood==
Fisher entered the Order of Preachers in 1985 and studied for the priesthood in Melbourne, receiving an honours degree in theology from the Yarra Theological Union, a member institution of the Melbourne College of Divinity (now called the University of Divinity).<ref name="VPO"/> He worked for a time at Uniya, a centre for social research in Kings Cross, on immigration and refugee issues, and at Holy Name Parish in Wahroonga, Sydney. He was ordained to the priesthood at Holy Name Church in Wahroonga by Eusebius Crawford OP, Bishop of Gizo, on 14 September 1991. He undertook doctoral studies in bioethics at the [[Organization:University of Oxford|University of Oxford]] until 1995, matriculating from [[Organization:University College, Oxford|University College]], while residing at [[Organization:Blackfriars, Oxford|Blackfriars Hall]]. His Doctor of Philosophy degree was granted for a thesis on "Justice in the Allocation of Healthcare". His academic work has included lecturing in Australia and overseas and publishing many books and articles on bioethics and morality. In 1994 he appeared on two British television programs, the bioethics series ''Brave New World''<ref>[http://library.berry.edu/title/does-everyone-have-the-right-to-a-child/oclc/779751193 WorldCat programme listing] and [http://www.openmedia.co.uk/broadcast.htm Production company website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429150935/http://www.openmedia.co.uk/broadcast.htm |date=29 April 2009 }}, accessed 20 December 2017</ref> and a special edition of the live discussion program ''After Dark''.<ref>[http://www.openmedia.co.uk/afterdarkspecials.htm Production company website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929123627/http://www.openmedia.co.uk/afterdarkspecials.htm |date=29 September 2017 }}, accessed 16 August 2018</ref>
[[File:FisherNitschkeDebate2003.jpg|thumbnail|left|Fisher debating Philip Nitschke at Sydney University, 2003]]

From 1995 to 2000, Fisher was a lecturer at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. From 2000 to 2003 he was the foundation director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, the Australian campus of a postgraduate pontifical institute with nine campuses around the world.<ref name="News.va">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-appoints-bishop-anthony-fisher-to-archdiocese|title=Pope Appoints Bishop Anthony Fisher to Archdiocese of Sydney|work=Vatican Radio|date=18 September 2014|publisher=News.va|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> The principal work of the institute was in teaching and research on questions concerning respect for human life and the dignity of the person and support for marriage and family life. The Australian campus ceased operations in December 2018.

He is ''ex officio''  chancellor of the Catholic Institute of Sydney (having previously served as the deputy-chancellor) and adjunct professor of bioethics at the University of Notre Dame Australia.<ref name="News.va"/> Prior to his episcopal appointment, Fisher was the Master of Students (seminarians) and ''Socius'' (deputy) to the prior provincial of the Dominican order in Australia and New Zealand. In the Melbourne archdiocese, he was Episcopal Vicar for Healthcare, spokesman for the archdiocese on matters of ethics, a visiting lecturer at the Catholic Theological College and secretary to the Senate of Priests.<ref name="News.va"/> His community engagements have included being Chaplain to the Parliament of Victoria, a member of the Infertility Treatment Authority of Victoria, chair or member of several hospital ethics committees, a conventual chaplain ''ad honorem'' to the [[Religion:Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Sovereign Military Order of Malta]] and a chaplain to various other organisations. He has also had various engagements in parish life and the pastoral care of dying and disabled people.<ref name="News.va"/> In August 2003, Fisher debated euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke at the Great Hall of the University of Sydney.<ref name="SMH07"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=374|title=Euthanasia protagonists disagree over cost of living|publisher=The University of Sydney|date=22 August 2003|access-date=27 September 2014|author=Curruthers, Fiona}}</ref>

==Episcopate==
=== Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney ===
Fisher was appointed an [[Religion:Auxiliary bishop|auxiliary bishop]] of Sydney and titular Bishop of Buruni by [[Biography:Pope John Paul II|Pope John Paul II]] on 16 July 2003 and consecrated by Cardinal George Pell at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on 3 September 2003. He took "Speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) as his episcopal motto. He was the parish priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Watsons Bay and Episcopal Vicar for Life and Health in the Archdiocese of Sydney, as well as serving on the Australian Bishops' Commission for Doctrine and Morals<ref name="VPO" /> and as chair of the Catholic Schools Board, chair of the Catholic Education Commission of New South Wales, deputy chancellor of the Catholic Institute of Sydney and an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydneycatholic.org/our-archbishop/archbishops-biography/|title=Archbishop's Biography|website=Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-24}}</ref> He has been a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life since 2004.

Fisher was the organiser of World Youth Day 2008 held in Sydney.<ref name="SMH1" /> This was the largest youth gathering and largest religious event ever held in Australia. It attracted 250,000 young people for a week-long festival and 400,000 people for the final Mass with [[Biography:Pope Benedict XVI|Pope Benedict XVI]], which was held at Randwick Racecourse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-07-20/wyd-mass-unforgettable-end-to-celebrations/445422|title=WYD mass "unforgettable end" to celebrations|date=2008-07-20|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-24}}</ref>

=== Bishop of Parramatta ===
Fisher was named the third Bishop of Parramatta by [[Biography:Pope Benedict XVI|Pope Benedict XVI]] on 8 January 2010 and was installed on 4 March 2010 in St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta.<ref name="VPO" /> As Bishop of Parramatta, Fisher oversaw the implementation of Faith in Our Future, the pastoral plan for the Diocese of Parramatta, which focussed on growing and sharing faith in the areas of families, youth, ethnicity, vocations and evangelisation.<ref>Catholic Diocese of Parramatta. [https://faithinourfuture.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/faith-in-our-future-diocese-of-parramatta-e28093-full-version-7mb1.pdf Faith in Our Future: Pastoral Plan for the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta 2014-2018]. 2014, Parramatta, Australia.</ref> Under his episcopate, Fisher continued as chair of the Catholic Education Commission of New South Wales and adjunct professor in theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia. He was also a member of the company of the Australian Catholic University and served as a member of the Australian Bishops' Commission for Pastoral Life, as chair of the Anti-Euthanasia Task Force and as the Bishops' Delegate for Youth.

Fisher issued a number of pastoral letters to priests and the faithful of the diocese on the themes of confession ("Come back to Me with all your heart", Lent 2011), pastoral planning ("Faith in Our Future", Lent 2012), the child abuse crisis (with the other New South Wales bishops, "Sowing in Tears", Lent 2013),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mediablog.catholic.org.au/sowing-in-tears-lenten-pastoral-letter-of-nsw-bishops-in-response-to-royal-commission/|title=Sowing in Tears: Lenten Pastoral letter of NSW Bishops in response to Royal Commission|last=Australian Catholic Bishops|date=2013-02-17|website=ACBC Media Blog|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-24}}</ref> Personal Vocation ("Thy Kingdom Come", Christ the King 2013) and the Eucharist ("This Wonderful Sacrament", Corpus Christi 2014).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zenit.org/articles/this-wonderful-sacrament/|title=This Wonderful Sacrament|last=Fisher|first=Anthony|date=2014-06-22|website=ZENIT - English|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-24}}</ref> Following a significant increase in vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Parramatta, he directed the building of the new Seminary of the Holy Spirit at Harris Park. On 20 December 2011, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame Australia.<ref name=":0" />

=== Archbishop of Sydney ===
On 18 September 2014, Pope Francis appointed Fisher as Archbishop of Sydney.<ref name="SMH1">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/catholic-church-names-bishop-anthony-fisher-as-cardinal-george-pells-successor-20140918-10j15o.html|title=Catholic Church names Bishop Anthony Fisher as Cardinal George Pell's successor|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 September 2014|agency=Fairfax Media|access-date=19 September 2014|author=Blackburn, Richard}}</ref> The next day, Fisher called for harmony in the community in light of counter-terrorism raids that had just begun. He said, "As a religious leader though I think people of faith have something very important to do and to say at the moment. [These are] troubled times in our world and even in our own city. We need to bring some calm and some restraint and some wisdom at this time."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/2571481/bishop-anthony-fisher-appointed-archbishop/?cs=1245|title=Bishop Anthony Fisher appointed Archbishop|work=Parramatta Sun|date=19 September 2014|agency=Fairfax Media Regional|access-date=19 September 2014|author=Watson, Vanessa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923103723/http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/2571481/bishop-anthony-fisher-appointed-archbishop/?cs=1245|archive-date=23 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fisher was installed as Archbishop of Sydney on 12 November 2014 in a ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Sydney (Clover Moore), the Premier of New South Wales (Mike Baird) and John Howard, a former Prime Minister of Australia, as well as other politicians and leaders of Orthodox Christian and other religious communities in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=1&subclassID=2&articleID=13804&subclass=CW%20National |title='Main focus on people' at installation Mass |work=The Catholic Weekly |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=31 October 2014 |author=McCowen, Sharyn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031093530/http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=1&subclassID=2&articleID=13804&subclass=CW%20National |archive-date=31 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/sydneys-new-archbishop-anthony-fisher-steps-into-big-shoes-20141111-11kepa.html|title=Sydney's new Archbishop: Anthony Fisher steps into big shoes|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 November 2014|agency=Fairfax Media|access-date=13 November 2014|author=West, Andrew}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/anthony-fisher-succeeds-george-pell-as-catholic-church-anoints-ninth-archbishop-of-sydney-20141113-11l8zj.html|title=Anthony Fisher succeeds George Pell as Catholic Church anoints ninth Archbishop of Sydney|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 November 2014|agency=Fairfax Media|access-date=13 November 2014|author=Parker, Scott}}</ref>

On 6 May 2015, Pope Francis appointed Fisher a member of the [[Religion:Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith|Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/05/06/pope_names_two_new_members_for_doctrine_of_faith/1142039| title=Pope names two new members for Doctrine of Faith|work=Vatican Radio|date=6 May 2015|agency=Holy See Press Office|access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref>

On 13 August 2015, Fisher debated moral philosopher [[Biography:Peter Singer|Peter Singer]] at the Sydney Town Hall about the legalisation of euthanasia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/euthanasia-debate-archbishop-anthony-fisher-and-ethicist-peter-singer-to-debate-euthanasia-20150807-giu6hk.html|title = Euthanasia debate: Archbishop Anthony Fisher and ethicist Peter Singer to debate euthanasia|date = 8 August 2015}}</ref> The debate was organised by the Sydney University Catholic Society and adjudicated by the ABC's Editor of Religion and Ethics, Scott Stephens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/singer-and-fisher-preach-to-their-flocks-in-euthanasia-debate-45880|title = Singer and Fisher preach to their flocks in euthanasia debate| date=14 August 2015 }}</ref> Fisher argued that euthanasia, "creates two classes of people: those whose lives we value and those whose lives we don't" and that while comforting people through their suffering requires more from society, it also places more value on humanity and endorses the intrinsic value of life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://honisoit.com/2015/08/clash-of-the-intellectual-titans-singer-vs-fisher/|title=Clash of the Intellectual Titans: Singer vs Fisher|date=19 August 2015}}</ref>

In December 2015, Fisher was diagnosed with [[Medicine:Guillain–Barré syndrome|Guillain–Barré syndrome]] following a gastrointestinal infection which was complicated by an immune-related pathology. He received intensive care treatment, physiotherapy and rehabilitation at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, before moving to [[Medicine:Mount Wilga House|Mount Wilga Rehabilitation Centre]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/sydney-catholic-archbishop-anthony-fisher-in-intensive-care/news-story/c8c53464e334192625fc2eadb9623a2e|title=Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher in intensive care|work=The Australian|date=5 January 2016|agency=News Corp Australia|access-date=29 April 2016|author=King, Simon}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The Archdiocese of Sydney announced that Fisher would return to regular, active duties from 5 May 2016<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/recovering-archbishop-fisher-due-to-return-to-work|title=Recovering Archbishop Fisher due to return to work|work=The Catholic Weekly|date=27 April 2016|access-date=29 April 2016|author=Hiini, Robert}}</ref> and he celebrated his first public Mass on 29 May 2016.<ref name="AFE">{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-greens-policies-immoral-says-catholic-archbishop/news-story/2d91a279f320c3967003e653f7a9a0a3 | title=Federal election 2016: Greens' policies immoral, says Catholic archbishop | work=The Australian | date=30 May 2016 | agency=News Corp Australia | access-date=30 May 2016 | author=Livingstone, Tess}}</ref>

Pope Francis named Fisher as a member of the [[Religion:Congregation for the Oriental Churches|Congregation for the Oriental Churches]] on 6 August 2019. The appointment involves specific dialogue with the Eastern churches in Australia and across the world.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = Holy See Press Office | access-date = 7 August 2019 |url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/08/06/190806a.html | date= 6 August 2019 | title = Resignations and Appointments, 06.07.2019}}</ref>

===Response to child sexual abuse cases===
In July 2008, when asked at a World Youth Day press conference about an alleged case of clerical sexual abuse in Melbourne years earlier, Fisher said: "Happily, I think most of Australia was enjoying delighting in the beauty and goodness of these young people and the hope&nbsp;— the hope for us doing these sorts of things better in the future&nbsp;— as we saw last night [at World Youth Day], rather than, than dwelling crankily, as a few people are doing, on old wounds." The father of the alleged victims and advocates for survivors of abuse reacted angrily and criticised Fisher's language. One said: "We've had non-stop calls from family members who are angry and distressed about this young Bishop's response."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-07-16/catholic-bishops-old-wounds-comments-slammed/441564|title=Catholic Bishop's "old wounds" comments slammed|author=Bourke, Emily|work=ABC News|date=17 July 2008|access-date=3 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/nickbryant/2008/07/how_was_it_for_you.html|title=A spectacular show|work=BBC News|first=Nick|last=Bryant|date=20 July 2008|access-date=3 December 2011 | quote = Victims were incensed by the comments of Bishop Anthony Fisher, the World Youth Day co-ordinator, who said they should not "dwell crankily" on old wounds.}}</ref> Fisher later said his comment was taken out of context: "I called the reporters cranky and, boy, did I get jumped upon ... they said I was calling the abuse victims cranky, which I certainly wasn't doing."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/the-faith-and-conviction-of-bishop-anthony-fisher|title=The faith and conviction of Bishop Anthony Fisher|work=Wentworth Courier|first=Rob|last=Bates|date=29 July 2009|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005000947/http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/the-faith-and-conviction-of-bishop-anthony-fisher/|archive-date=5 October 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{efn|A year later, and after the publication of Fisher's "out of context" explanation, the ''Sydney Morning Herald'' continued to cite Fisher's original language as evidence that "At times, [the church] has given the clear impression that it wishes sexual abuse victims would shut up and go away."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/church-painfully-slow-to-learn-lessons-of-abuse-20090811-egwt.html | access-date = 13 April 2019 | date= 12 August 2009 | title = Church painfully slow to learn lessons of abuse | work = Sydney Morning Herald }}</ref>}}

When he became archbishop, Fisher committed the church to doing better in its response to child sexual abuse cases. Upon being named archbishop, he said, "Victims of abuse and all young people must come first&nbsp;– no excuses, no cover-ups. The Church must do better in this area and I am committed to playing a leading role in regaining the confidence of the community and of our own members."<ref name="SMH1"/>

He stated that the "Church in Australia is going through a period of public scrutiny and self-examination" and expressed his hope that it "will emerge from this purified, humbler, more compassionate and spiritually regenerated".<ref name="SMH1"/><ref name="PS">{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/mud-on-boots-of-new-chief-catholic-anthony-fisher/story-e6frg6nf-1227063358658|title='Mud on boots' of new chief Catholic Anthony Fisher|work=The Australian|date=19 September 2014|agency=News Corporation|access-date=19 September 2014|author=Livingstone, Tess}}{{subscription required}}</ref> He lamented the institutionalised child sexual abuse that occurred historically in his former Diocese of Parramatta and took the opportunity to apologise for what he acknowledged as the Church's failure to properly assist victims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/i-am-ashamed-new-archbishop-of-sydney-anthony-fisher-admits-church-has-failed-abuse-victims-20140919-10j90t.html|title="I am ashamed": new Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher admits church has failed abuse victims|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 September 2014|agency=Fairfax Media|access-date=27 September 2014|author=Feneley, Rick}}</ref> Speaking of previous abuse cases, he reiterated his desire for openness and change saying, "We want to make sure every child is safe and cherished going forward."<ref name="PS"/>

At the Mass for his installation as Archbishop of Sydney, Fisher said: "To survivors of abuse and all affected I say: the Church is - I am - profoundly sorry for what happened. All young people must be cherished and protected. The Church can do better and I am committed to giving a lead in this area. I pray that the Church will emerge from this period of public scrutiny humbler, more compassionate and spiritually regenerated. Only then will we regain credibility and trust in many people's eyes."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/religion/the-hope-of-the-church-sydneys-new-archbishop-looks-at-the-past-/10098858|title=The Hope of the Church: Sydney's New Archbishop Looks at the Past, Looks to the Future|last=Anthony Fisher|first=O. P.|date=2014-11-12|website=ABC Religion & Ethics|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref> He repeated this apology at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse<ref>Royal Commission into Institutional Responses of Child Sexual Abuse (2017). Case Study 50, ''Transcript of M. Coleridge, T. Costelloe, A. Fisher, D. Hart, P. Wilson'', p. 26002</ref> and held a service of Prayers of Forgiveness and Reparation at St Mary's Cathedral following the release of the commission's final report.<ref>{{Citation|title=Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary in Reparation for Abuse|url=https://soundcloud.com/user-213381486/sorrowful-mysteries-of-the-holy-rosary-in-reparation-for-abuse|language=en|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref>

== Views ==
=== Australian federal election, 2016 ===
In the campaign cycle leading up to the 2016 federal elections, Fisher condemned the policies of the Australian Greens describing them as "nasty" and contravening "basic moral standards", specifically calling out their policies regarding same-sex marriage, removing religious "exemptions" in anti-discrimination laws and their support of the Safe Schools Programme. He also called on the government to honour its commitment to take in Syrian Christian refugees and put in place common-sense policies regarding refugees and asylum seekers in light of the exposition of abuse suffered by detainees in offshore processing centres. He stated that it was a "matter of striking a balance" although adding that "[he did not] know all the answers".<ref name="AFE2">{{cite news|author=Livingstone, Tess|date=30 May 2016|title=Federal election 2016: Greens' policies immoral, says Catholic archbishop|work=The Australian|agency=News Corp Australia|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-greens-policies-immoral-says-catholic-archbishop/news-story/2d91a279f320c3967003e653f7a9a0a3|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> This followed calls that he made in September 2015 exhorting the government to consider increasing its humanitarian refugee intake and to prioritise Christians fleeing Syria believing it necessary due to "campaigns to drive Christians from the Middle East". Both the Anglican and Catholic churches in Australia had also asked the government to consider increasing its yearly humanitarian refugee intake by 10,000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-09-10|title=Anthony Fisher|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/anthony-fisher/6764034|access-date=2021-06-02|website=ABC Radio National|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=2015-11-21|title=Australia to take Syrian refugees from all backgrounds, government affirms|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/21/australia-to-take-syrian-refugees-from-all-backgrounds-government-affirms|access-date=2021-06-02|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Syrian refugees to be from 'all religions'|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/syrian-refugees-to-be-from-all-religions|access-date=2021-06-02|website=SBS News|language=en}}</ref>

===Same-sex marriage and other LGBT issues===

Fisher has consistently opposed the legalisation of [[Social:Same-sex marriage|same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 21 May 2019 | url = https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/ideal-reality-future-marriage-australia/ | work = The Catholic Weekly | date= 11 August 2017 | title = Between ideal and reality: What future for marriage in Australia? | first = Anthony | last = Fisher| quote= I will not rehearse my case for marriage as traditionally understood and for retaining that understanding of marriage in our laws which I have offered on many occasions.}}</ref> According to ''The Independent'' newspaper, this is "part of his general stance against increased rights for LGBT people."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/same-sex-marriage-australia-gay-wedding-catholic-archbishop-fisher-anthony-a8127201.html | access-date = 21 May 2019 | work= The Independent | date= 24 December 2017 | title = Same-sex marriage has made 2017 a horrible year, says Catholic archbishop | first = Andrew | last= Griffin }}</ref> New Ways Ministry has drawn attention to a number of "LGBT-negative statements" Fisher has made.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-02|title=Archbishop: 2017 a "Horrible Year" Due to Marriage Equality|url=https://www.newwaysministry.org/2018/01/02/archbishop-2017-horrible-year-due-marriage-equality/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=New Ways Ministry|language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2017, Fisher stated that businesses such as [[Company:Qantas|Qantas]] and [[Company:Telstra|Telstra]] should not sponsor [[Social:Gay pride|Pride]] events aimed at supporting LGBT staff or encouraging non-discrimination, nor lobby in favour of the legalisation of same-sex marriage. He accused private sector chief executives of applying "pink bans" to other companies or executives that did not support such issues.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/nation/catholic-archbishop-fisher-to-ceos-butt-out-of-samesex-debate/news-story/ | access-date = 12 April 2019 | date= 31 March 2017 | title = Catholic archbishop Fisher to CEOs: butt out of same-sex debate| work = The Australian | first = Tess | last = Livingstone }}{{subscription required}}</ref>

In August 2017, during the political debate to determine whether Australia should introduce same-sex marriage, Fisher argued that religious schools, charities and hospitals could be coerced to comply with the "new view of marriage" if the majority of Australians opted for a change in legislation and that teachers would not be free to follow the "traditional" church teaching on marriage, but instead be forced to teach a more "politically correct" curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2017/08/14/gay-marriage-may-lead-to-coercion--archbishop.html |title=Marriage "coercion" claims rejected |access-date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814215052/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2017/08/14/gay-marriage-may-lead-to-coercion--archbishop.html |archive-date=14 August 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/church-warns-of-samesex-coercion-for-schools-hospitals/news-story/3eae56b41c28c0ac16bbf4ecafe04288  |title=Same-sex marriage: Church warns of "same-sex coercion" for schools |author=Kelly, Joe|date=14 August 2017|work=The Australian|access-date=15 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2017/2017814_315.shtml |title=Marriage Redefinition will Affect Every Australian: Archbishop Fisher |author=Fisher, Anthony |date=14 August 2017 |work=Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese |access-date=18 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818091143/https://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2017/2017814_315.shtml |archive-date=18 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He said that religious believers would be vulnerable to discrimination suits and could even lose their jobs if same-sex marriage is legalised.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/sydney-archbishop-says-religious-believers-could-lose-their-jobs-if-gay-marriage-is-legalised/news-story/25f0756d4e3423bf7469d751fb18342b | work = The Australian |title= Sydney Archbishop says religious believers could lose their jobs if gay marriage is legalised| access-date = 12 April 2019 |agency= Australian Associated Press | date= 15 October 2017}}{{subscription required}}</ref> He also wrote a letter to all parents of children in Catholic schools across New South Wales to advise them to vote no to a change in the law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-15/catholic-school-parents-urged-vote-no-same-sex-marriage-survey/8950478|title = Catholic school parents urged to vote "NO" on same-sex marriage|newspaper = ABC News|date = 15 September 2017}}</ref> Same-sex marriage was subsequently introduced to Australia by an act of federal parliament in December 2017 following widespread support in a [[Social:Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|national postal survey]].<ref>{{cite news | date= 7 December 2017 |first= Paul | last = Karp| work = The Guardian | title = Marriage equality law passes Australia's parliament in landslide vote | access-date = 12 April 2019 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/07/marriage-equality-law-passes-australias-parliament-in-landslide-vote}}</ref> Fisher said he was "deeply disappointed" with the result.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-15|title=Australian bishops react to "Yes" vote to same-sex marriage|url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/11/australian-bishops-react-yes-vote-sex-marriage/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Crux|language=en-CA}}</ref>

=== Gonski Report ===
In 2017, the Turnbull government decided to adopt the key recommendations of the 2011 Gonski Report commissioned by the Gillard government.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-01|title=Malcolm Turnbull embraces David Gonski's school funding plan in major backflip|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/malcolm-turnbull-embraces-david-gonskis-school-funding-plan-in-major-backflip-20170502-gvwv4e|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref> There were concerns from the Opposition and other faith-based education providers that the needs-based funding model the Government proposed to adopt would disproportionately affect faith-based schools.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-01|title=PM pours $19b extra into Gonski school funding|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/pm-pours-19b-extra-into-gonski-school-funding-20170502-gvxfpc|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-05|title=Gonski 2.0 in the balance as Turnbull takes on Catholics|url=https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/management/gonski-20-in-the-balance-as-turnbull-takes-on-catholics-20170505-gvzeer|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref> In response, Fisher welcomed the Government's decision to adopt a needs-based funding model but decried its falling short of what Gonski recommended in his original report. He also denied all allegations that the Catholic Church was asking for special treatment for its schools with respect to funding and stated that whilst, on a cursory examination, needs-based funding seemed equitable, it would disproportionately affect students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds in low-fee Catholic schools.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-07|title=Catholic schools want a fair Gonksi deal, not special treatment|url=https://www.afr.com/policy/catholics-schools-want-a-fair-gonksi-deal-not-special-treatment-20170505-gvzcyc|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref>

==Writings==
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |title=IVF: The Critical Issues. |publisher=Collins Dove |publication-place=Melbourne |year=1989}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=3 |title=I am a stranger: will you welcome me? The immigration debate. |year=1991 |publication-place=Melbourne |publisher=Collins Dove/ACSJC}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=with |author2=Jane Buckingham |orig-year=First published 1985 |title=Abortion in Australia: Answers and Alternatives. |publisher=Foundation for Human Development |publication-place=Sydney |year=1991}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=with |author2=B. Tobin |author3=C. Gleeson |author4=M. Byrne |year=2001 |title=Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia |publication-place=Canberra |publisher=Catholic Health Australia}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=with |author2=F. Gomez |author3=H. Bustamanthe |year=1996 |title=Relevant Ethical Issues in Healthcare |publication-place=Manila |publisher=UST Bioethics}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=with |author2=L. Gormally |display-authors=0 |year=2001 |title=Healthcare Allocation: An Ethical Framework for Public Policy. |publication-place=London |publisher=Linacre Centre}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=3 |year=2011 |title=Catholic Bioethics for a New Millennium  |publication-place=New York City, USA |publisher={{wipe|Cambridge University Press}}}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=3 |year=2017 |title=The Healing Peace of Christ: Reflections on Illness and Recovery, Death and New Life. |publication-place=Sydney |publisher=St Paul's}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=3 |year=2018 |title=War and Terror, Peace and Hope. |publication-place=Sydney |publisher=St Paul's}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=3 |year=2018 |title=My Dear Young Friend: Letters on Youth, Faith and Future. |publication-place=Sydney |publisher=St Paul's}}
*{{cite book |author-last=Fisher |author-first=Anthony |author-mask=3 |year=2023 |title=Unity in Christ: Bishops, Synodality, and Communion. |publication-place=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Catholic University of America Press}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

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{{s-bef|before=Ismail Rueda Sierra}}
{{s-ttl|title=Titular Bishop of Buruni|years=2003-2010}}
{{s-aft|after=Raphael Thattil}}
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{{s-bef|before=Kevin Michael Manning}}
{{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Parramatta|years=2010–2014}}
{{s-aft|after=Vincent Long Van Nguyen}}
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{{s-bef|before=George Pell}}
{{s-ttl|title=Archbishop of Sydney|years=2014–present}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fisher, Anthony}}
[[Category:Bioethicists]]

{{Sourceattribution|Anthony Fisher}}