‘We owe first generation of women priests so much'

Women who were among the first group to be ordained into the Church of England 30 years ago have reunited at a special service.

The first cohort of women became priests in 1994 at an historical service at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire.

"We had lots of supporters and the cathedral was full and buzzing for this special moment," recalls Rev Canon Fiona Brampton.

She gathered with others back at Ely Cathedral on Saturday to celebrate the "significant anniversary".

Ely Diocese said it had played a significant role since the ordination of women 30 years ago, and it still had the highest number of women in official leadership.

The service was led by the Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, East Anglia’s first female bishop, with music sung by the Ely Cathedral Girl Choristers.

Preacher Canon Jessica Martin said they would celebrate the "richness, diversity and creativity of what women have brought to the priestly vocation".

"In 1994 the then Bishop of Ely affirmed that he was ordaining 26 women with ‘confidence and joy’, and the ministry of those 26 women has enabled the latest generation of women in priestly ministry to give of themselves, too, with confidence and joy," she said.

"Later generations of priests, such as my own, owe that first generation so much".

Rev Brampton said that although "the landscape has changed tremendously", there was "certainly still work to do", as many women bishops were still not accepted by some in their diocese.

She recalled "that sense of excitement" 30 years ago as her fellow trainee vicars became officially ordained.

"The cathedral was full of people, people from our parishes came along to the service," she said.

"We heard afterwards there were a couple of people protesting at the west door of the cathedral, but I think most of us had come through the south door."

Now the priest-in-charge at North Leightonstone Benefice - including the parishes of Alconbury, Hamerton and the Stukeleys - she reflected on "what's happened in those 30 years - where God has led me and the church through this amazing ministry".

She paid tribute to Suffolk-born St Etheldreda, the founder of the abbey that preceded Ely Cathedral.

"She was an amazing saint, princess and woman," said Rev Brampton.

"She founded this place with monasteries for men and women. And I think we’ve felt that sense of her leadership and following, where God led her."

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