LETTERS Women priests
Sir: Andrew Gimson's article on women priests in your current number (23 Novem- ber) is rather more predictable than perceptive. It shows little awareness of the fact that arguments in favour of ordaining women first surfaced in the Church of England during the ,first world war, and became vociferous during the 1930s, long before feminist theology was heard of. Secular feminism has certainly had its effect on contemporary society, but the theological case for ordaining women is based on quite different premises.
Nicholas Garland's cover illustration does no justice to the reputation of the Spectator. However attached your readers may be to Dr Johnson there is today a cultural gap of over 200 years. On the bookstalls today, that illustration of a 'clerical bitch' can only be regarded as deeply offensive to the many highly re- spected women ministers in the free chur- ches, to about 1,500 deaconesses and women readers in active ministry in the Church of England, and more than 700 women priests in other parts of the Angli- can communion. It was the object' of the original 18th-century Spectator papers to 'enliven morality with wit, and temper wit with morality'. I am not sure this week's cover picture succeeds in doing either. But don't let me discourage you . . . there is everything to be said for encouraging everyone involved in this contentious issue to laugh a little at themselves.
Dss Diana McClatehey
Moderator, Movement for the Ordination of Women, Napier Hall, Hide Place, Vincent Street, London SW1
Previous page
