Most of us will have been aware of the upsurge in the feminist movement lately, led by celebrities such as Emma Watson supporting her ‘this is what a feminist looks like’ slogan. However, the Church of England’s historical moment last Monday, consecrating the first ever female bishop, has caused an increased awareness of the prejudice still held by many religious persons of the inferiority of women.
In an ideal world, religion and feminism should be mutually inclusive, yet religion is causing progress in the feminist movement to be decades behind public opinion. No members of the Catholic Church attended the service in York on Monday amid fears that their presence would suggest support for Mrs Lane’s ordination. Although the Catholic Church made it clear that attendance would not be seen in this way, the fact this fear exists at all is revealing of the prejudice still held against women in many sectors of the Christian faith.
Change is always difficult, especially in religious spheres, but much like the Reformation, resulting in the Protestant branch of Christianity in the 1500’s, it is not always negative. Much as the Bible was newly interpreted then, so it can be today as religion and the world develop. The ordination of female priests may not be in the Bible, but nor is the use of recreational drugs. Times have changed and the Bible in many respects is no longer relevant to modern life. Almost all couples live together before marriage today, despite it being strictly against biblical teachings, and this is seen by most to be acceptable, and even the Church of England does not condemn it. If this is the case, although not in the Bible, the ordination of women can be seen in the same way.
Those within the Church of England who oppose the ordination forget that the Queen is the ‘Supreme Governor’ of the church, and is not the first to be so. Elizabeth I was supreme governor during her reign too
Quite correctly, this movement in the way of equality for women within the Church has become a huge topic of debate. However, Libby Lane is not the first ever female bishop- there are more than 30 Anglican bishops worldwide. Although her consecration is a huge step in the process of equality, the Church of England is by no means a forerunner of this movement. 30 worldwide is by no means a large number, showing that even today, women do not have the same chances as men. There are 7,798 full time priests in the Church of England, only 1,781 of whom are women. This huge disparagement in numbers is revealing that whilst movement is being made towards equality, it is still a long way off.
However, those within the Church of England who oppose the ordination, and subsequent further equalisation of women, forget that the Queen is the ‘Supreme Governor’ of the church, and is not the first to be so. Elizabeth I was supreme governor during her reign from 1558-1603, making it the case that women have been able to lead the Church for almost 500 years. This being the case, it is absurd that so many will oppose a female bishop, when their entire Church is led by a woman.
This proves the point that there is no feasible reason why women should not be equal to men in every way, both in social and religious life. Whereas Catholicism preaches equality but refuses to give women the privilege of positions within the church, at least the Church of England is slowly working towards this aim. Religion and feminism should be mutually inclusive: but they aren’t.
The Archbishop of York has said that ‘in a few years time when more women will be bishops, I predict we shall be wondering how we ever managed without them’, lending support to the idea that hopefully one day these two movements can work in harmony, and women will be completely equal not just in the church but in every aspect of life. The consecration of Libby Lane is another step in the right direction.
Eleanor Dipper