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England Celebrates 20 Years of Female Priests, Looks to Women Bishops

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jul 21, 2014

Durham Cathedral gathered Saturday 19th July 2104 to celebrate 20 years of Women’s Priestly Ministry in the diocese of Durham, according to Christian Today

"This is a very special service - not just recognizing the magnificent contributions of Women's Priestly Ministry in the Church of England over the last 20 years and 40 year in the Methodist Church - but because this is the very first service of its kind in the Church of England to occur in this celebration year since the General Synod vote,” said the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler.

Methodist minister the Reverend Alison Wilson maintains the role of women in ministry is vastly different today than years ago.

"From the beginning, women have always been in the forefront of the Methodist movement. Women have blazed a trail, called and prompted by God to serve him in all kinds of places and ways,” said Wilson.

A week earlier the General Synod of the Church of England granted its final approval for women to become bishops in the Church of England.

The voting results were as follows:

House of Bishops: Yes 37 No 2 Abstentions 1

House of Clergy: Yes 162 No 25 Abstentions 4

House of Laity: Yes 152 No 45 Abstentions 5

"Today is the completion of what was begun over 20 years with the ordination of women as priests. I am delighted with today's result, said Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. “Today marks the start of a great adventure of seeking mutual flourishing while still, in some cases disagreeing.”

Publication date: July 21, 2014