First Generation of Women Priests in Church of England Commemorate 30th Anniversary

Women who were part of the initial group to be ordained into the Church of England three decades ago have reconvened for a special service. The pioneering cohort of women became priests in 1994 during a landmark ceremony held at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. “We had lots of supporters and the cathedral was full and buzzing for this special moment,” recounted Rev Canon Fiona Brampton. She gathered with others back at Ely Cathedral on Saturday to commemorate the “significant anniversary”. The Ely Diocese stated its substantial involvement since the ordination of women 30 years ago, and it continues to have the highest number of women in official leadership roles. The service was presided over by the Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, East Anglia’s first female bishop, with musical contributions from the Ely Cathedral Girl Choristers. Preacher Canon Jessica Martin expressed that they would celebrate the “richness, diversity and creativity of what women have brought to the priestly vocation”. “In 1994 the then Bishop of Ely affirmed that he was ordaining 26 women with ‘confidence and joy’, and the ministry of those 26 women has enabled the latest generation of women in priestly ministry to give of themselves, too, with confidence and joy,” she stated. “Later generations of priests, such as my own, owe that first generation so much”. Rev Brampton noted that although “the landscape has changed tremendously”, there was “certainly still work to do”, as many women bishops were still not accepted by some in their diocese. She recalled “that sense of excitement” 30 years ago as her fellow trainee vicars received their official ordination. “The cathedral was full of people, people from our parishes came along to the service,” she said. “We heard afterwards there were a couple of people protesting at the west door of the cathedral, but I think most of us had come through the south door.” Now serving as the priest-in-charge at North Leightonstone Benefice — which includes the parishes of Alconbury, Hamerton and the Stukeleys — she reflected on “what’s happened in those 30 years – where God has led me and the church through this amazing ministry”. She paid tribute to Suffolk-born St Etheldreda, the founder of the abbey that preceded Ely Cathedral. “She was an amazing saint, princess and woman,” said Rev Brampton. “She founded this place with monasteries for men and women. And I think we’ve felt that sense of her leadership and following, where God led her.” For updates on Cambridgeshire news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available for review.