Post by Paddy by Grace on Sept 4, 2008 18:41:02 GMT -7
www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_7449263
Women outnumbered men among newly ordained priests in the Church of England for the first time last year.
The church added 213 women priests in 2006 and 210 men, according to a report released Monday.
However, men continued to outnumber in paid positions—128 to 95 among the new priests—and the total number of men in the priesthood was 7,001 compared with 1,495 women.
The total number of women ordained last year was just short of the record of 216 in 2002, the church said.
The Church of England began ordaining women as priests in 1994, and is now debating whether women could serve as bishops.
Women outnumbered men among newly ordained priests in the Church of England for the first time last year.
The church added 213 women priests in 2006 and 210 men, according to a report released Monday.
However, men continued to outnumber in paid positions—128 to 95 among the new priests—and the total number of men in the priesthood was 7,001 compared with 1,495 women.
The total number of women ordained last year was just short of the record of 216 in 2002, the church said.
The Church of England began ordaining women as priests in 1994, and is now debating whether women could serve as bishops.