The Diocese in Europe is celebrating the 30th anniversary since the first women were ordained to the priesthood in the diocese. The Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells, Deputy-Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, has been invited to preside at a celebratory service on June 19.
The service will be live streamed from St George’s Madrid at 1830 CET.
The Church of England’s Synod first approved the measure in 1992 for women to be ordained as priests after many years of debate and advocacy, which included The Movement for the Ordination of Women (MOW). The first women in England were ordained in Bristol Cathedral, England, in 1994, followed by those in the Diocese in Europe, the largest diocese within the Church of England, in 1995. Today, there are 34 licensed female priests in the diocese and the numbers are reportedly “steadily increasing”.
The celebratory service commemorating this milestone will be held at St George’s in Madrid, during a wider conference for women clergy who serve in some of the many chaplaincies across Europe. The Diocese stated that the conference (held during the week) was “a special time for fellowship and learning” under the heading “For such a time as this: Finding our voice in Europe today.”
Speaking about the service, Bishop Jo Wells, Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, said,”It is a delight to preside at the service marking 30 years since the first women were ordained in the Diocese of Europe and to lead their conference sessions. We have explored some of the Old Testament prophets – those called to speak for God – seeking both wisdom and inspiration for addressing some of the opportunities and challenges across Europe today. Among these women I find similar courage, adventure and faithfulness – a commitment to speak the truth and build communities of truth in a lonely post-truth world.”
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The Revd Canon Debbie Flach, the Diocesan Dean of Women’s Ministry, shared, “The ordination of women in the Church of England was only a future hope when I joined MOW in 1980. And now we are celebrating together in this diocese the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood.”
The Revd Annie Bolger, Assistant Chaplain at Holy Trinity Brussels, noted, “What a thrill to honour 30 years of women serving the Church of England as priests! For me, it is especially important to honour the women who have ministered in God’s name over the past three decades, and whose wisdom, leadership and vision have broadened the horizons of the church worldwide, and enabled even greater inclusion in the Church of England.”
The Rt Revd Alison White, Honorary Assistant Bishop in Europe, preacher for the service, shared, “It’s wonderful to be part of this joyful occasion in the evolving story of the ministry of women.”
For more information
Learn more about women’s ministry in the Diocese of Europe here.
Watch the live stream of the service on the Facebook page for St George’s Madrid on Thursday, June 19th at 18.30 CET:
www.facebook.com/stgeorgesmadrid/live_videos/