Thirty Years of Women's Ordination in Barbados Anglican Church

Thirty years after the decision of the Anglican Diocese in Barbados to admit women to the priesthood, 16 women have been ordained and there are others moving to ordination.

This was revealed by Anglican Bishop Michael Maxwell yesterday while delivering the sermon at a service marking 30 years since the ordination of Canons Dr Sonia Hinds and Beverley Sealy-Knight, at St Leonard’s Anglican Church.

Scores of Anglicans from various churches where the two priests have led the ministry over the last three decades, as well as fellow male and female priests and some senior figures in the Anglican Diocese, family and friends attended the service.

Favour

Taking his sermon from verses in the Biblical book of Luke, Chapter 1 – “My soul magnifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour at the lowliness of his servant” – Bishop Maxwell focused on the importance of answering God’s call and doing His will.

While giving thanks for the “faithful ministries” of the two female canons over the last three decades, he also praised Bishop Rufus Brome for his “vision, courage and episcopal leadership”, noting how Brome’s stewardship helped prepare the way for the important development in the life of the church and the diocese, with the ordination of the first two women.

“Thirty years ago, within the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels, on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, the Right Reverend Dr Rufus Brome, then Bishop of Barbados, presided over what would become a watershed moment in the history of this Diocese.

“It is said that just six months after the Provincial Synod voted in favour of the ordination of women to the priesthood, Bishop Brome, guided by prayer, conviction and a willingness to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, led this diocese to a place where it could affirm and receive the priestly ministry of women by the ordination of Sonia and Beverley.”

Maxwell said the anniversary was also an occasion to reflect on the faithfulness and the goodness of God and on “the courage of those who responded and still respond today to His call and the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding the church into a deeper understanding of His purposes and a newness of life.”

The two canons were showered with gifts presented by representatives of organisations in the various churches of which they were rector. They were also celebrated in song by gospel singer Paula Hinds and in dance by liturgical dancers of St Leonard’s Church. (GC)