The Angelic Doctor on the Ordination of Women
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article30633
- Author
- Barnett-Cowan, Alyson (Alyson Mary), 1949-
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Liturgy Canada
- Date
- 2003 Pentecost
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Liturgy Canada
- Date
- 2003 Pentecost
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 4
- Page
- 4-5
- Notes
- Fr. Eugene Fairweather "was a key figure in ARCIC (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission), passionate about reunion with Rome, and known at home for his opposition to the Plan of Union with the United Church of Canada. When he spoke in diocesan synod, or at General Synod, people paid attention". As one of the best known Anglo Catholics it was widely expected that Fairweather would "give the theological `coup de grace' to the ordination of women" debate in the Anglican Church of Canada. The author recalls a debate in which she participated as a theology student in which she spoke in favour of the ordination of women and Fr. Fairweather opposed. "To my considerable surprise we won the debate. But it was not my brilliant oratory ... I believe that it was Eugene's lack of conviction on the topic. Though he was publicly opposed to the ordination of women, he had privately been persuaded that, theologically, it was the right move." "At the General Synod of 1975, Eugene Fairweather did not argue against the ordination of women as his followers had steadfastly hoped. He did argue for more time for implementation". "I never heard him give a spirited defence of the ordination of women, though he showed his solidarity early on. It was more that he had been persuaded by his reading and reflection upon the tradition of the Church that this was a matter indifferent, a question not of the essence but of custom. As the Primate, Michael Peers, recalled at Eugene's Requiem at St. Mary Magdalene's, Eugene had lived by the maxim he had first articulated at General Synod in Quebec City [in 1975]: `Whatever the word `tradition' means, it does not mean that whatever has not been done cannot be done'."
- Author is Director of Faith, Worship and Ministry for the Anglican Church of Canada and is a former tutor in Theology for Dr. Fairweather, Trinity College, Toronto.
- Subjects
- Ordination of women - Anglican Church of Canada - History
- Fairweather, Eugene R. (Eugene Rathbone), 1920-2002
- Anglo-Catholics - Anglican Church of Canada
- Location
- General Synod Archives