Bishop Keith Dalby of the Diocese of the Murray has been found unfit to remain in holy orders by the Episcopal Standards Board of the Anglican Church of Australia. This means the board considers Bishop Dalby should not be licensed to minister in the church, and Bishop Dalby has been given a deadline of three weeks to step down or be deposed. Bishop Dalby told The Other Cheek in a statement he accepts he made a “significant error of judgment and a failure to meet the standards expected of me as a Bishop of the Church.” But he described the Board’s finding as a “harsh and disproportionate determination.”
Bishop Dalby has told The Other Cheek he will respond within the timeframe.
The case involves “Bishop Dalby’s failure to disclose to his Diocesan Council and others a romantic relationship with and subsequent marriage to Ms Alison Dutton (now a priest) at a time when he participated in decisions involving her advancement in the Diocese,” according to a statement by the primate (national leader) Bishop Mark Short. The Board found that Bishop Dalby’s conduct clearly breached his ordination and consecration vows of honesty, fidelity, and integrity and that there had been a fundamental erosion of trust and confidence between the laity and clergy of The Murray and Bishop Dalby.”
Following the diocese becoming aware of his secret marriage to Alison Dutton in August 2023, Bishop Keith Dalby had stepped aside from his office as Bishop of the Diocese of The Murray with effect from 9 December 2023. In his statement, Bishop Murray expressed his “deep regret for the impact of my actions on the Diocese of the Murray, its clergy, and its people.”
The diocese of the Murray occupies the southeastern part of South Australia, together with some southern suburbs of Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Statement by Bishop Keith Dalby
I acknowledge the determination of the Episcopal Standards Board, delivered on 10 April 2026, following its hearing of 17–19 March 2026 concerning a referral from the Episcopal Standards Commission.
The Board has determined that I am unfit to hold office and unfit to remain in Holy Orders under the Episcopal Standards Canon 2007 and has directed that I relinquish Holy Orders within 21 days, failing which I will be deposed.
The determination arises from my failure to disclose my relationship and subsequent marriage to The Reverend Alison Dutton in a timely and transparent manner, and my participation in decision-making processes concerning her ministry without disclosing that relationship.
I acknowledge that this constituted a significant error of judgment and a failure to meet the standards expected of me as a Bishop of the Church. I accept the seriousness of the Board’s findings and the weight of its conclusions; however, I consider the judgment harsh anddisproportionate.
Throughout this process, I have reflected deeply on my responsibilities as a bishop, including the call to integrity, transparency, and faithful leadership. While I did not intend harm, I acknowledge that intention does not lessen the consequences of my actions. I wish to express my deep regret for the impact of my actions on the Diocese of the Murray, its clergy, and its people. I recognise that trust has been damaged and that my conduct has contributed to division, confusion, and hurt within the Church community I was called to serve. I can only ask for their forgiveness and trust that our merciful God will continue to lead us toward reconciliation and healing.
I am grateful to those who have supported me personally during this difficult time, including my wife, The Reverend Alison Dutton. She has been steadfast and loving while also enduring the allegations, which have had a devastating impact on her, yet this does not seem to have been understood or appreciated by those involved.
I have been in Ordained ministry for over thirty years and had intended to devote the remainder of my working life to serving the Church. The Reverend Alison Dutton has potentially thirty years of ministry ahead of her and intended to devote this time to serving the Church. Both of us have given much to follow a calling to ministry. We are devastated and saddened that the sacrifices we have made to follow our calling to ministry in the Anglican Church has been so abruptly dealt with by this harsh and disproportionate determination.
I am considering my position in light of the Board’s determination and will respond within the required timeframe. I ask for prayers for all those affected by this matter, including the people and leadership of the Diocese of the Murray.
The Episcopal Standards Board
The members of the Board who heard the Dalby case:
The Hon Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC – President. de Jersey is a former Governor of Queensland.
Mr Eric Ross-Adjie – Member. A partner in the law firm WSR Law in Perth
The Right Rev Dr Alison Taylor AM – Member. Taylor is A retired assistant bishop of the Diocese of Brisbane.
The Episcopal Standards Board determination can be read here: https://anglican.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1659-ESB-Determination-Dalby.pdf
Image: Bishop Keith Dalby Image Source: Linked In
Clarification: noting that the statement from the Anglican church was issued by the Primate