Thirty Two Women and Two Men. Guess who got left out. (And a Sad Coda))
Bristol Cathedral where I was ordained Deacon in 1976.
As a son of the Diocese of Bristol I was proud and delighted that the first Church of England Ordinations of Women to the Priesthood were in "my Cathedral".
It was believed that deference would be given to the Archbishop of Canterbury to be the first to ordain women to the Ministerial Priesthood. He didn't appear to be in any hurry so the Bishop of Bristol, Barry Rogerson was the first.
I was so grateful to Bishop Rogerson and my home Diocese that I celebrated the Eucharist at St. Stephens' Parish, Pittsfield as a mark of solidarity with Bristol.
The Bristol Ordinations became the opening news on NBC T.V. that day. There was video of supporters and opponents outside the Cathedral. One of the new Priests, the Revd. Charmian Mann was interviewed. Oh my goodness I knew her - the only one of the 32.
Thirty two women were ordained, but it was still a man's world in the C of E.
There was a glaring bit of misogyny in the way the ordinations were commemorated in the Cathedral. Twenty eight years later that misogyny was recognised and corrected.
See this:
SAD CODA
I happened to be in England in 1993 when my nephew Thomas was born. ( a son for my sister in law Wendy and my brother Martyn )
Thomas was born prematurely. He was oh so frail. I baptised him in a neo-natal intensive care unit at St. Michael's Hospital for Children.
As I was leaving the Hospital I encountered a woman in clerical garb. She (a Deacon) was an Anglican Chaplain at the hospital. I told her about Thomas's Baptism. She made sure that it was noted and added to the Chaplaincy register.
Thomas died. The toughest time imaginable for Wendy and Martyn.
I prayed at the graveside as his small and precious body was buried
Her name was CHARMIAN MANN - the Priest I'd seen and heard being interviewed by NBC television following the 1994 Ordinations at Bristol Cathedral. It's a small Anglican world.
Happier Post Script.
As I looked at the names of the women who were ordained in Bristol another one leaped out.
She is the Revd Jane Hayward. Jane became the Vicar at St. Anne's Church Greenbank, Bristol the parish my mother attended. I met her a few times when I was at home and went to Church with Mum.
Jane Hayward officiated at the funeral of Len Woolcock my step-father; and of my Mum Evelyn Povey Woolcock.
Hello John - It was great to see the email which you sent to Angela B-W, & I apologise for the delay in contacting you.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am still here (& so is Jane).
We had a moving service in Bristol Cathedral to bless the plaque commemorating our priesting. 12 out of the original 32 were present.
I'm long retired now, living comfortably with my husband, a retired architect, in Church of England Pensions Board accommodation.
I hope all is well with you.
Resurrection Blessings of Easter. Charmion