English Deacon Becomes Priest in U.S. Diocese
Episcopal News Service. December 9, 1981 [81324]
NEWARK -- The Rev. Elizabeth Canham has become the first woman from the Church of England to be ordained a priest in another branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Canham was ordained at the Episcopal cathedral here Dec. 5 by the Episcopal Bishop of Newark, the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong. She serves in Spong's diocese as an assistant rector.
Ordained deacon in England three years ago in what she describes as a "valid but irregular" service, Canham came to Newark last year and was received in accordance with the Church laws governing transfer of clergy from one branch to another.
Church of England Bishop Mervyn Stockwood, retired diocesan of Southwark, took part in the laying-on-of-hands. Stockwood has been a staunch advocate of ordination of women in England.
Spong is active in a committee of the American House of Bishops which was set up to facilitate movement of women ordinands among the domestic dioceses.