News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

St-Asaph-ordinations-1997-main_article_image.jpg
Church in Wales
UK News

Aspiring women clergy still face resistance, warning on anniversary

Canon Carol Wardman said there was still "a little bit of that going on", as the country's six Anglican cathedrals prepare to hold simultaneous services marking two decades since the first women Anglican priests were ordained in Wales.

Canon Wardman, who will be preaching during a service at Brecon Cathedral, said: "It makes me feel very humble because I kind of just swanned in and it's all happened for me.

"I'm very, very conscious of my sisters and mothers in the faith, who went ahead of me and worked, pressed and tried, and carried on serving and never lost their faith, and made it possible for me to be in this position today."

The special ceremonies, commencing at 11am on Saturday, will remember the 61 women ordained on 11th January 1997, while each of their names have been included in a new logo.

Church in Wales

Explaining why the occasion is worth celebrating, Canon Wardman said: "It was a great milestone and a great breakthrough, really, when women were finally allowed to be ordained to priesthood.

"[It] meant that they could operate liturgically and sacramentally within the church."

History will once again be made, on 21st January, when the Church in Wales will consecrate its first bishop, Canon Joanna Penberthy.

Canon Wardman said research has highlighted how inequalities still exist within the Church in Wales, explaining: "We had a review done in the Church in Wales a couple of years ago which showed where women were, not just in ordained ministry, but in various different positions within the Church and we were rather embarrassed to discover that women are still not equally represented at all levels."

Listen to Canon Wardman speaking Premier's Alex Williams:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate