Celebrating 30 years of women priests

A celebratory communion service was held in Chapel on 28th May and two female Bishops – both Wycliffe alumnae – delivered inspirational video messages at a reception afterwards.

Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester and Anglican Bishop for Prisons, had studied at Wycliffe in 1991–4. She shared her memory of the historic day when she watched on the Common Room television as the General Synod vote was passed. “Little did I think I’d be addressing you 30 years on – as a bishop”, she added.

“Today, I want to say how much I’m celebrating with you…”, she said, reflecting on how one of the things important in her ministry has been enabling every person to become the person they’ve been called to be.

Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, recalled her time at Wycliffe as formational – a time that enabled her to find her voice both as a woman in academia and a woman in ministry. She remarked how her experiences of finding a sense of mutual flourishing even when working with those who disagreed about women’s ordination had helped shape her public ministry.

Delivered with great warmth and passion, these personal messages from Wycliffe alumnae left listeners visibly moved.

In chapel, Revd Jane Chaffey, who leads Wycliffe’s Chaplaincy team, preached on Anna the Prophetess. The Principal, Revd Dr Michael Lloyd, who presided, expressed how proud he was of all these women and how he saw in them a bright future for the church.

A photograph of the current cohort of female ordinands was commissioned and has been displayed on the wall of the Hall.

Reflecting on the occasion, Jane Chaffey said: “The more I explore the Gospels and life of the early church, the more convinced I have become about women’s callings within God’s Kingdom. It seemed very right that, working amongst such a gifted and lovely group of students at Wycliffe, we should honour the vocations of women at this time. The church is all the richer for them.”