Australiaâs âRebel Reverendâ Goes Viral With Barbed Liberal Messages The Rev. Rod Bower became a national sensation with pugnacious political signs shared by millions over social media. Now heâs questioning the internet dynamics that made him famous. The Rev. Rod Bower with the sign outside his church in Gosford, Australia, whose messages have become a social media sensation.Credit...Matthew Abbott for The New York Times Feb. 13, 2021 GOSFORD, Australia â The Rev. Rod Bower, Australiaâs most famous gadfly in a clerical collar, strolled behind a crowd of demonstrators at a busy street corner, admiring their handmade protest signs.