Foreword

Women in Ministry:
A Study

Published by Church Information Office
Church House, Westminster, SW1. 1968, pp. 6-7

The terms of reference given to the Working Party were ‘What is the proper role of women within the accredited ministry of the Church in parishes and elsewhere?’ They are wide enough to cover a complete examination of the biblical evidence, a study of the history of the Church in all its different forms from the beginning until the present, a fresh evaluation of the whole gamut of theological thinking on the ministry including the meaning of ordination, a sociological investigation of the world of today and, upon that foundation, a blueprint for the total reorganization of the Church in the widest sense of that ambiguous word. Those who hoped for even an approximation to this or at least for far-reaching proposals for fundamental changes in the thought and practice of the Church of England will be disappointed. But if that were wanted, the composition of the Working Party ought to have been very different. We were not as a body equipped either in learning or in experience for such a task. In our survey ‘the Church’ was limited to the Church of England and ‘proper’ had to mean ‘capable of being implemented by that body here and now’. Wide ranging reports too easily end in inconclusive and infructuous discussion.

We have at least done three things. First, we have described how the Church of England today uses women within its total ministry, with all the uncertainties and anomalies. The facts are here, as nowhere else. Secondly, we have stated the major issues which must be dealt with responsibly and decisively, if there is to be any real progress. None of these concern the Church of England in isolation. They will come before the Lambeth Conference. They are already, in essentials, in discussion among Roman Catholics. The Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches is involved in far-reaching investigations and consultations about them all. Thirdly, we have listed those specific actions for the removal of anomalies and the clarification of functions which are within the competence of the Church of England and which we believe that the Church of England, through its responsible machinery, ought to take in hand without delay.

That the Working Party has not done more is due to the actual state of opinion within the Church of England. It is impossible to solve an equation if there is an overplus of unknown factors. We were working under considerable pressure. Our first meeting was on 5th June 1967 and we presented our report on 5th June 1968. The members were drawn from all parts of England and had many other commitments. We came together with a responsible readiness to enquire and we reached a deep measure of understanding and agreement. On behalf of the whole Working Party I would like to express our gratitude to the Secretary, Miss Christian Howard, for all she did and to the staff of CWMC for the assistance given us from that office.

To sum up:

1. We are agreed that women have a vital part to play within the accredited ministry of the Church.

2. We are sure that the Church of England is not attracting enough women to this service or making full use of those whom it has.

3. We hold that, to draw more women into this accredited ministry of the Church of England, decisions must be made and responsible partnership offered.

Nothing which we have written is to be taken as depreciating the value of the service now being given in various ways by women of ability and devotion, sometimes in the face of misunderstanding and frustration. It is precisely because they have done and are doing so much that we are eager that the Church of England should make it possible for them to do more and should attract many others to join them. In that hope we present our report.

llth June 1968

MICHAEL HOLLIS

Chairman

Please, credit this document
as published by www.womenpriests.org!