Bridport churches split over women priests (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Bridport churches split over women priests

5:25pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Rene Gerryts

THE national row over women priests has spilled into Bridport and split the ministry.

Five out of six churches in the Bridport team are happy to embrace women – but one is not.

And now Father Peter Edwards of St Swithun’s is not being allowed to take services at any of the other Bridport churches, except for weddings and funerals.

Team Rector Andrew Evans said he was saddened by developments.

He said: “Bridport is a microcosm of the whole Church of England. “At St Swithun’s women are not welcomed as clergy under any circumstances.

“While this view is respected, it is terribly sad that the outstanding ministry of our women priests and ministers, from which thousands of Bridport residents have benefited over many years, is not welcomed in one church of the team.”

Fr Peter Edwards said in an open letter to parishioners that he had been personally hurt – as had others – by the decision and the way it was done.

He said: “I know there has been considerable amount of hurt felt, in which I share personally, at the way in which this decision was taken and announced.

“It is my vision that at St Swithun’s we can continue to welcome all people, irrespective of their views on this issue, to join with us in worship.”

Fr Edwards called an open meeting to talk about the decision to isolate him and St Swithun’s.

The Rev Evans said everything had been done strictly ‘by the book’ with the approval of the Salisbury Diocese bishops and archdeacons.

He said: “I have some sympathy with Fr Edwards because it was unpleasant, inevitably it was a hard meeting but it was done absolutely by the book.”

He said Fr Edwards’ refusal to work with women priests – there are four priests in Bridport and three licensed ministers – was ‘unacceptable’ Mr Evans said Fr Edwards was not comfortable working with women and that meant if he went to one of the other churches a woman could not.

He said: “It is unacceptable in the churches where women’s ministry is welcomed for them to be denied because he is attending. “That is the crux of it.

“Our women are outstanding priests and they have been unbelievably gracious about this in the face of some rather harsh treatment and comments. And we have said this can’t go on.

“The vast majority of the Church of England are absolutely delighted by women’s ministry. It has actually reinvigorated the church, it has brought new energy, new growth, a greater depth to spirituality. Women’s pastoral care is terrific. “That is my experience of women priests in general and particularly true in Bridport.

“For those who are unable to accept women we wish them well but the rest of us need to move on.”

The Bridport team is the only parish in the Salisbury Diocese where a church affiliated to Forward in Faith (which does not accept women in the church) is legally joined together in a team.

Fr Edwards said he did not wish to comment further.