'Unfinished Business'

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood

On the weekend of the 16th – 18th September, Archdeacon Kay Hart and the Rev’d Canon Angela Dutton attended the MOW conference celebrating 30 years of the ordination of women to the Priesthood. The conference was held at Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney.

The programme included a variety of guest speakers that offered a thorough and balanced picture of the story of the ordination of women in Australia from the fledgling stages through to to-day. The presentations also acknowledged the challenges still faced by women in our church today, including indigenous women.

The conference speakers included: Dr Julia Baird who was a co-convenor of Sydney MOW whilst at Sydney University and now hosts ABC’s The Drum; Ms Anne Hywood – General Secretary of General Synod; The Rev’d Canon Professor Dorothy Lee FAHA – Stewart Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity College Theological School; along with a number of presentations of personal stories.

Presentations covered from the history and law through to personal experiences and the impact on the national church. We also looked at the theology surrounding women’s ministry with a focus on women’s leadership in the New Testament and today.

Barriers still exist with some Dioceses still not recognising the full value of the ministry of women. Many dioceses still struggle with accepting and acknowledging women in significant leadership roles. Throughout the national church the harm caused to women is still not recognised or acknowledge in any meaningful manner yet this harm very much exists. Our own Diocese of Grafton is ahead of the curve in many areas of women’s ministry with a significant number of senior positions in the diocese being held by women. We look forward to celebrating the 30th Anniversary of ordination of women to the priesthood in this Diocese in 2023.

We acknowledge and give thanks for the hospitality extended to those in attendance at the conference by the hospitality crew and the parish of Christ Church St Laurence with their incumbent The Rev’d Daniel Dries.

The conference concluded with worship at Christ Church St Laurence on Sunday morning with many ordained attendees robing and processing for the service, including one of the women Bishops. A memorable occasion for us all.

By Archdeacon Kay Hart and Canon Angela Dutton.