Why do Anglicans Ordain Women?
6 October 2025
Editor's Note: These notes are especially relevant given the election of Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop-elect of Canterbury in October 2025
These are resources and notes on the issue of women's ordination, especially as it pertains Anglicanism. It is a goodly thing that women be ordained, and be Deacons, Priests, and yes, Bishops. This is a work-in-progress.
Articles and Direct Arguments
On Opposition to the Ordination of Women By Jack Brownfield, an Episcopal Priest
Scripture
Unless otherwise noted, version is the King James/Authorized Bible.
Women Leading
John 20:18-20
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Mary Magdalene is the first to preach the Gospel.
Romans 16:1-2
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
St Paul sends Phoebe to lead and minister at Cenchrea. He notably uses the word 'Diakonos' to describe her, the same word he uses for himself, a word which would serve as the basis for the deaconate.
Romans 16:7
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Junia is called an Apostle -- this verse was taken as such Patristically.
On Equality
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Both men and women are created in the image of God.
Acts 18:26
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
(ESV) Priscilla is named before her husband and instructs, with him, a man in the faith.
Anglican Divines
Lancelot Andrewes, Before James I at Whitehall, Easter Day, 21 April 1622, John 20.17
By which words 'say to them' He gives her a commission. 'Go' is her mission, 'tell them' her commission. A commission, to publish the first news of His rising, and as it falls out, of His ascending too.
The Fathers say that by this word she was by Christ made an Apostle, nay, an 'Apostle to the Apostles themselves'.
An Apostle; for what lacks she? Sent first, immediately from Christ himself; and what is an Apostle but so? Secondly, sent to declare and make known; and what difference between 'Go and preach', and 'Go and tell', but only the number? The thing is the same. And last, what was she to make known? Christ's rising and ascending. And what are they but 'the Gospel', yay the very Gospel of the Gospel?
Communion Works
- Lambeth Conference Resolution 21 "Women in the Priesthood" (1978)
- Towards a New Theology of Ordination: Essays on the Ordination of Women (1976)