Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ordination of Women: 30th Anniversary

Thursday 17 October 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church of England marked the 30th anniversary of the first ordination of women as priests on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
  • Services of celebration have taken place across the country to recognize the contributions of women priests.
  • Bishop Rose, the first black female chaplain to the Queen and Speaker of the House of Commons, was honoured for her achievements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rosie Duffield Ind Canterbury
Religion & Faith
Context

The question is prompted by the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women as priests in the Church of England.

Question

What steps the Church is taking to mark the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women. The first ordinations took place on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, and about 6,500 women have been ordained since 1994. Women now make up one third of the clergy in England.

Answer from Marsha de Cordova

Tuesday 12 March 2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the first ordinations of women as priests in the Church of England. Many services of celebration have taken place across the country to recognise the considerable contributions that these women have made and continue to make to the Church.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or plans for celebrating the anniversary were not provided

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Q2 Dawn Butler Lab Brent East
Religion & Faith
Context

The question is prompted by the significant milestones in Bishop Rose's career, including her appointments as chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II and Speaker of the House of Commons.

Question

I want to highlight one particular woman, Bishop Rose. In 2007, she was appointed chaplain to Her late Majesty the Queen, the first ever black female to hold that role. In 2010, she was the first ever black female appointed as chaplain—the 79th chaplain—to the Speaker of the House of Commons. Since 2019, Bishop Rose has been the Bishop of Dover and Britain's first ever black female bishop. Will my hon. Friend join me in honouring Bishop Rose?

Answer from Marsha de Cordova

I take great pleasure in honouring the great Bishop Rose. The diocese of London marked the anniversary, and there have been several services marking it across the country, in which 180 women have gathered to share their experience of ministry over the past 30 years.

Answered
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Q3 Rosie Duffield Ind Canterbury
Religion & Faith
Context

The question is prompted by a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women as priests, with particular reference to Bishop Rose and Canon Eileen Routh.

Question

I welcome my dear friend to her position, and I know she will be absolutely brilliant. I was thrilled to attend the 30-year anniversary of the first women ordained at Canterbury cathedral earlier this year. The service was conducted by our dear Bishop Rose, our much-loved former chaplain to the Speaker. Will my friend join me in congratulating those pioneering women, including my partner's mother, Canon Eileen Routh, who faced a degree of hostility when entering into their new vocations some 30 years ago?

Answer from Marsha de Cordova

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. I happily join her in congratulating the great Bishop Rose, but also in remembering all those women who faced hostility when starting out, including her future mother-in-law, Canon Eileen Routh; she faced a lot of hostility.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or steps to celebrate and honour these pioneering women were not provided

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