Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993
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| Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 | |
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 Measure 1993.png) Church of England · Public domain · source | |
| Title | Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 |
| Enacted by | General Synod of the Church of England |
| Year | 1993 |
| Citation | Measure of the General Synod of the Church of England |
| Status | Repealed / Superseded (subject to later measures) |
Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 was a legislative instrument of the General Synod of the Church of England that authorised the ordination of women to the priesthood. The Measure followed decades of debate involving figures and institutions such as Elizabeth II, John Paul II, Margaret Thatcher, Archbishop of Canterbury, Church of England dioceses and provincial structures. It represented a turning point affecting relationships between the Anglican Communion, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and ecumenical partners including World Council of Churches and Anglican Consultative Council.
Background and Legislative Context
Discussion leading to the Measure drew on prior proposals such as the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1992 debates in the House of Bishops and decisions by the General Synod of the Church of England in the 1970s and 1980s. Key personalities included John Habgood, Rowan Williams, George Carey, David Jenkins, and lay leaders from dioceses such as Canterbury, York, London, and Durham. International influences included rulings and actions by General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, and statements from bodies like the Lambeth Conference. Political dimensions involved Members of Parliament such as Tony Blair and legal counsel referencing the House of Lords and precedents from ecclesiastical measures like the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1994 discussions and earlier synodical legislation.
Provisions of the Measure
The Measure set out canonical and liturgical provisions enabling ordination rites for women within parochial and cathedral settings across provinces of Canterbury and York. It addressed episcopal faculties, pastoral reallocation, and provisions for parishes seeking alternative episcopal oversight such as mechanisms involving bishops modeled on arrangements associated with flying bishops and roles akin to those later held by figures like Jonathan Baker and Gordon Bates. The text delineated qualifications aligning with canons influenced by the Church Representation Rules and sought compatibility with ecumenical agreements referenced by bodies such as the Anglican Communion Office and the Church of England Pensions Board.
Passage and Parliamentary Debate
The Measure underwent scrutiny in the Synod, with extensive debate recorded among bishops, clergy, and laity including prominent voices such as John Sentamu, David Hope, Michael Ramsey’s legacy, and public commentators including journalists from outlets like the Times and the Guardian. Parliamentary attention involved peers in the House of Lords and private correspondence with Prime Ministers and Cabinets including those led by John Major and later Tony Blair. Amendments were proposed reflecting concerns voiced by delegates from dioceses such as Chichester, Southwark, and Carlisle, and by societies including the Church Society and the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith.
Reception within the Church of England
Reception was mixed: proponents included evangelical and liberal clergy and lay leaders such as members of the Women’s Ordination Conference and allies in dioceses like Liverpool and Norwich, while opponents formed organized groups including the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Forward in Faith, and conservative parishes in Oxford and Kent. High-profile responses came from ecumenical partners: the Roman Catholic Church through statements from the Vatican and Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Eastern Orthodox Church via patriarchal communiqués. Media coverage featured analyses by commentators referencing historical figures like Thomas Cranmer and theological authorities such as N. T. Wright and Alister McGrath.
Legal and Ecclesiastical Implications
Legally the Measure required integration with ecclesiastical law including the Canon Law traditions of the Church of England and engagement with civil law considerations involving tribunals and employment law overseen by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and later considered by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Ecclesiastically it raised questions about apostolic succession debated in writings by theologians such as Rowan Williams and challenged ecumenical dialogues with the World Council of Churches and bilateral talks with the Roman Catholic Church and Lutheran World Federation. Provisions for alternative oversight provoked considerations of parish rights, episcopal jurisdiction, and the role of cathedrals like St Paul's Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral.
Subsequent Developments and Amendments
Following 1993, later synodical measures and legislation addressed implementation, compensation, and pastoral safeguards, leading to later instruments such as measures debated in General Synod sessions in the 2000s and 2010s. Notable developments included ordinations of women to episcopacy involving figures like Libby Lane, Rachel Treweek, and Justin Welby’s tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, and amendments to provide alternative episcopal arrangements administered by bishops including Philip North and others. Broader Anglican Communion responses featured resolutions at the Lambeth Conference and actions by national churches including Episcopal Church (United States), Anglican Church of Australia, and Anglican Church of Canada. The Measure’s legacy continues to influence debates around ministry, ecumenism, and canon law in institutions such as the Church Commissioners and the Archbishops’ Council.