Episcopal Press and News

MIDDLE EAST: Cyprus and the Gulf diocese to ordain women as priests

Episcopal News Service. February 18, 2011 [021811-05]

ENS staff

The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf has announced it will now be able to ordain women as priests.

Bishop Michael Lewis of Cyprus and the Gulf made the announcement last week during the annual diocesan synod, noting that his request for permission to ordain and appoint women priests had been granted by the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The decision, which according to a press release "was warmly welcomed by synod members," will not affect the other dioceses in the province: Egypt, Iran and Jerusalem.

The release said that the first ordination of a woman priest is likely to take place in June, when the Rev. Catherine Dawkins, currently serving as a deacon and assistant in a Yemen chaplaincy, will be ordained in Bahrain cathedral. The diocese has one female ordinand in training.

"This is something that synod has wanted to see for some time, and I am delighted to have this new opportunity," Lewis said, according to the release. "The diocese is currently advertising for a chaplain for South East Cyprus, and it will be good to be able to invite applications from a full range of candidates."

The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf covers 10 political jurisdictions, "and operates at the interface between Anglican and Orthodox on the one hand, and between Christian and Muslim on the other," the release said.