Ordination of women in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney

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The ordination of women in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney is restricted to the diaconate (IE as deacons). The diocese rejects the ordination of women as priests (or presbyters) and bishops.

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Diocesan position

One of the differences between Sydney and the majority of other Anglican dioceses in Australia has been its unwillingness to allow the ordination of women to the priesthood (itself a term infrequently used in the diocese) or presbyterate. This issue is an indicator of Sydney's difference in ecclesiology and theology to most other dioceses within the Anglican Communion.

For many Anglicans outside Evangelical churches and even for many Sydney Anglicans within Evangelical churches, the central act of worship is the celebration of the Eucharist. Within the Anglican Communion the Eucharist can only be presided over by an ordained priest (presbyter). For many who have opposed the ordination of women the sex of the priest who presides at the Eucharist has been a major issue. But in the Sydney diocese the sex of the person who presides at the Eucharist is of less significance than the matter of headship in the church and in the preaching and teaching which is central to Evangelical ministry.

Interpretations of the teachings of Paul

The reason for Sydney's strong opposition towards the ordination of women to the presbyterate is based partly upon their interpretation of the teachings of the Apostle Paul in respect to the understanding of the Greek word kephale (κεφαλη) mentioned in Ephesians 5:23, as well as the prohibition given to female teachers in 1 Timothy 2:11 and the roles of men and women outlined in his first letter to the Corinthians.

The diocese has, however, ordained women as deacons since 1989. [1] Women who are ordained as priests outside the diocese, such as Sue Pain who returned to Sydney to take up the position of assistant at St James', King Street, are acknowledged by the diocese as deacons rather than priests. [2] In 1994 Harry Goodhew appointed a deacon, Dianne "Di" Nicolios, as archdeacon in charge of women's ministries.

In 1992 a then member of the standing committee of the diocesan synod, Laurie Scandrett, joined with Dalba Primmer (the then Rector of St John's Bega in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn) and David Robarts (then the incumbent of Christ Church, Brunswick in the Diocese of Melbourne) in a court action (Scandrett v Dowling (1992) 27 NSWLR 483) to prevent the Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn from ordaining women as presbyters. The action failed in the New South Wales Court of Appeal although it delayed the ordination by several months. [3]

Continuing disagreement

Sydney's stand on this issue has been a source of disagreement within the diocese, as well as an occasional cause of tension between Sydney and the Diocese of Melbourne.[ citation needed ] However, a number of prominent Sydney Anglicans who are supportive of the ordination of women have ministered or are currently ministering in Melbourne — for example Peter Watson (Archbishop of Melbourne, 2000–2006), [4] Stephen Hale, Bishop of the Eastern Region and Dianne Nicolios, Archdeacon for Women's Ministries.

Archdeacon for Women's Ministries

The most senior female in the diocese is the Archdeacon for Women's Ministries. The title is often shortened to the Archdeacon for Women. The role created in 1993 as "an Archdeacon with special responsibilities for women's ministry". [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2009-09-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ Lu Piper: "The situation was akin to becoming an apprentice plumber and staying an apprentice for the rest of your life no matter how good your qualification...." as quoted by Julia Baird, SMH 27 May 2002
  3. ↑ "The Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in Australia, Calendar of Events 6 December 1991 -7 March 1992". Movement for the Ordination of Women: National Magazine for the Movement for the Ordination of Women incorporating Ebb and Flow: 5. November 1992 – via University of Divinity Digital Collections.
  4. ↑ Philip Freier enthroned as 10th Archbishop of Melbourne
  5. ↑ Goodhew, R. H. (10 October 1994). "Presidential Address". Sydney Diocesan Secretariat. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  6. ↑ Burke, Kelly (27 May 2002). "Anglican women's leader gives up on Sydney". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "Archbishop Peter Jensen appoints Narelle Jarrett as Archdeacon for Women's Ministry". Anglican Church League. 10 September 2002. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  8. ↑ Powell, Russell (9 October 2012). "Gilbert commissioned as Archdeacon". Sydney Anglicans. Diocese of Sydney. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
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