WOMEN PRIESTS TAKE ORDINATION LEAD OVER MEN

By Christopher Morgan and Sarah Keenlyside | The Sunday Times | September 5, 2004

The Church of England will ordain more women than men to the priesthood next year for the first time in its history. The proportion of female priests has been rising since they were first ordained in 1994, a change mirrored by congregations which are also becoming increasingly female. Next year the official projection of the Church of England's planned ordinations is 124 women and 123 men.

In July Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, ordained 14 priests in his cathedral. Nine of them were women and only five were men. Last year the Bishop of Salisbury ordained 18 women priests and only eight men. About half of those in training for the priesthood are now women. The dramatic change raises the prospect of the Church of England becoming similar to professions such as nursing and teaching, where females dominate.

David Martin, a sociologist, said: "It's obvious that over time the priesthood will become increasingly a female profession. As far as the church has a future it will include a predominant ministry of women and they will get to the top."

Not everyone is thrilled at the prospect. Edwin Barnes, former Bishop of Richborough, said that he was appalled by the "feminisation of the Church of England." He added: "It will be one more step on the road to the division of the church. This is reducing the church's authority. It's becoming risible."

As the number of women priests has increased, so has the proportion of women attending church. Church researchers say that the 45% to 55% male to female split in parish congregations 10 years ago has now shifted to a 37% to 63% split in favour of women.

Some clerics believe that this is because men are being deterred from going to church rather than that women priests are attracting more females. Robbie Low, a traditionalist cleric, said: "Men see a decreasing place for themselves in an organisation dominated by militant feminism."

Christina Rees, a supporter of the women's cause in the General Synod, praised the role of women priests. "The characteristics associated with the Christian lifestyle — namely patience, gentleness and kindness — are normally associated with feminine qualities. Jesus showed many feminine traits as well as masculine ones. The church could do with a strong dose of feminisation to help it to become more Christ-like."

About 300 clergymen, however, are said to be considering leaving the church if the decision is taken to consecrate women bishops. If the synod approves the ordination of women bishops, it may also consider setting up an independent province which would have neither women priests nor women bishops. About a fifth of Church of England priests are now women.