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Ramsey Reflects on Women as Priests

Episcopal News Service. October 20, 1976 [76311]

Stephen L. Brehe

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The retired Archbishop of Canterbury has called the approval of women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church "a very big break with tradition," but something the church can learn to live with.

The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Lord Michael Ramsey of Lambeth, the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed himself to several key issues during an interview while visiting Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., October 4-8.

He emphasized he was speaking personally, since he no longer is spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion.

"There have been some strong arguments" against the ordination of women to the priesthood, he said, adding that he had been particularly disturbed by the "women's lib" approach of some.

"The question isn't about human rights," he said, "but whether God wishes to call women to share in the Church's priesthood. "

But, he said, the move to ordain women in the Episcopal Church and several other Anglican bodies has not been the only startling change the church has faced this century.

"If we feel it to be a disturbingly big change we have to be honest with ourselves in recognizing that there already have been very big changes which we have accepted."

He cited the scientific study of scripture and the church's approval of birth control and family planning.

It is doubtful that many Anglicans would want to return to old methods of biblical study or bans against contraception, he said.

The Church of England, like its American counterpart, has been deeply involved with liturgical change and Lord Ramsey said there have been similar approaches and problems in both countries.

"In England we have what we call a Series I Prayer Book liturgy, which is the old Prayer Book just a little bit rearranged.

"Our Series II is a modern change that yet retains the archaic language.

"Our Series II rite is a modern-shaped liturgy, which is also very mod language," he said.

The Series II and Hi are the most popular, he said, but there are a number of congregations that desire the old 1662 Prayer Book. If such a parish wants to use the old book they may, he said. "That procedure appears to be very wise. "

Bishop Ramsey denied that the Church of England was in the "museum business" as charged by some critics.

Decline is serious, he said, but there are periodic revivals. This has been especially evident in certain congregations among youth, he said.

But the day of the big, wealthy parish is over, he warned.

"I think that in America the age of religious prosperity -- meaning churches with big congregations and a lot of financial support -- shows signs of ending," said Bishop Ramsey, who has visited the United States some dozen times. "And," he added, "I sense in America a bit of anxiety about the future."

Seminary enrollments, on the other hand, are growing by leaps and bounds and the retired archbishop said he was glad that schools in England and the United States are getting back to basics.

"I think that in the training of a Christian priest there are three paramount things: the study of theology, the life of prayer and the study of the world around us.

"Now, from time to time, one of those elements has been emphasized, rather at the expense of the others. In the last decade the phase of secular Christianity implied a great deal of study in the world and not nearly enough attention to a life of prayer.

"I believe that now our seminaries -- both in England and in America -- are getting back to a balance of these three factors. "

The bishop and Lady Ramsey have been in the United States since September. He taught a course in Christian doctrine at Nashotah House Seminary, Nashotah, Wis., before visiting Seabury-Western.

While at Seabury-Western, Bishop Ramsey celebrated the Alumni Eucharist and addressed alumni at a special meeting. He then led a quiet day for seminarians. He concluded his visit by preaching at the seminary's annual Fall Convocation.

Lord and Lady Ramsey returned to London Oct. 8, where he says he will read, write, preach, take retreats and give occasional lectures.

"I find myself in some ways very busy," he said, "but I'm free of a great many things that I'm glad to be free of: such as administration, public responsibility, the sort of care of the church."

Finally, how does a person address a retired Archbishop of Canterbury? "Just call me Bishop Ramsey," he said smiling. "I've dropped the arch. "