The man some say sounded the death knell to the career of former governor-general Peter Hollingworth is one of three frontrunners to be the 14th leader of the Anglican Church of Australia.
Brisbane Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, Newcastle Bishop Roger Herft and Archbishop Peter Jensen of Sydney are the early rivals to replace Perth Archbishop Peter Carnley next year.
On Wednesday Archbishop Carnley announced that he would step down in May next year after five years as primate and 24 as Archbishop of Perth.
Dr Aspinall has impressed observers since his Brisbane appointment in 2002, especially by his handling of the controversy over former archbishop Peter Hollingworth.
He set up the inquiry into sexual abuse in the Brisbane diocese that ultimately led Dr Hollingworth to resign as governor-general. He has denied allegations that he himself was complicit in abuse in Tasmania before he was ordained.
At 44, Dr Aspinall is both young and relatively inexperienced, but is considered intelligent and measured - which will appeal to bishops who found Dr Carnley's outspokenness unsettling.
Bishop Herft, 55, is regarded by the church's liberal and catholic wings as the only Australian bishop to come close to Dr Carnley's theological ability.
Sri Lankan-born, he became a bishop in New Zealand, and moved to Newcastle in 1993. He is a strong candidate to become archbishop of either Adelaide or Perth before next May, which would enhance his claims.
The primate has traditionally come from one of the five metropolitan sees - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth - but it is no longer a stipulation.
Adelaide Archbishop Ian George is due to retire in August, and Melbourne Archbishop Peter Watson by the end of next year.
Dr Jensen, 60, has emerged as a world leader of the evangelical wing of the Anglican Church since becoming archbishop in 2001.
The former principal of Moore Theological College is personable and highly accomplished, and can expect strong support from conservatives from both the evangelical and catholic wings of the church.
But liberal Anglicans fear and detest him, and even possible supporters may fear that such an appointment would be divisive. "It's inconceivable," one senior minister said yesterday.
However, the key battle will not be when the primatial board of electors meets in May next year. The most important campaign, the most political and probably the most brutal, will be at the church's general synod in Perth in October: the battle to elect the electors.
The 23 bishops in charge of a diocese automatically have a vote, and are automatically candidates. But each triennial synod also appoints 12 lay people and 12 clergy as voters.
The general secretary of the general synod, Dr Bruce Kaye, said yesterday no bishop could refuse to be a candidate, though if elected he could then decline the position.
Anglicans praised Dr Carnley's leadership yesterday. Melbourne's senior assistant bishop, Dr John Wilson, said the Archbishop had used "his impressive scholarship and intellectual abilities to address major issues facing the community as well as the churches".
A spokeswoman for the Sydney diocese said the Archbishop was a distinguished churchman who would be missed.