Abstract
A number of books on the issue of the ordination of women to the priesthood were written just after the November 1992 General Synod decision to ordain women. This, however, is one of the first to explore the results of that decision and to reflect on what difference women priests have made in the Church of England over the last two years.
The book offers a thorough, though sometimes repetitive, reflection on a variety of issues including stereotypes, views from the pews, collaborative ministry, and ranging from expectations of women’s priesthood to the realities. Anyone attempting to assess the current situation and differences that women are making in the Church of England as priests has a difficult task, for the dust is barely beginning to settle. Judith Rose points out this problem in her essay ‘What difference is women’s priesthood making to the Church of England?’ She writes, ‘This is a short time in the life of any organisation and especially the church of God. We are in an interesting and emerging situation but it is too early to be dogmatic about the differences.’ This may account for the fact that the essays have very little new information to offer, yet they are a very good introduction to the issues of women, priesthood and the people of God. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand the current feeling about women priests in the Church of England. The first essay by Hilary Wakeman explores this very issue and offers a balanced and realistic view of how people on both sides of the question and from all traditions are thinking and feeling.
The strength of the collection is that it grounds general impressions about women priests in the experience of both the contributors themselves and those whom they know. Each essay adds a personal thread to the overall fabric, which the final essay, by Judith Rose, succinctly summarizes. For example, one of the most interesting and compelling essays, ‘Being realistic about feminism’, by Barbara Baisley, explores a personal journey into feminism. If you are the sort of person who says ‘I am not a feminist but …,’ this essay is for you.
West Dulwich, London
Originally published in Theology 100 (793): 61–2 <https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571X9710000122>.