Before 1994 there were no women vicars in the Church of England. The decision to ordain women led to deep unhappiness amongst many Christians. Some left the church of England and became Roman Catholics. The catholic church remain opposed to women priests.
So why do some Christians think that women should not be vicars?
Some Christians have religious reasons for believing this, for example, Jesus was a man and in the communion service the vicar represents Jesus and the Bible says that women should not have authority in the church.
However other people say this attitude is just sexist and God is not a sexist. The words of the Bible were written at a time when women and men had very separate roles in society. That has changed now and women play a full and equal role with men. So surely the church should come into line and allow women to play a full and equal role in church leadership?
The Reverend Joy Carroll was one of the first women to be ordained in the Church of England and she was the inspiration for the character of Geraldine Granger, Vicar of Dibley. Carroll firmly believes that women can bring something to church leadership that men cannot.
For more information on the Vicar of Dibley visit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/vicarofdibley/
What special qualities do you think women can bring to church leadership?
Do you think it is right for women to be vicars? Why?
2 comments:
Is God a man or women?
Maybe both, maybe neither.
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