Women's Group Urges Commemoration of Li Tim Oi
Episcopal News Service. January 15, 1993 [93010S]
The Episcopal Women's Caucus (EWC) has issued a statement urging women and their organizations to commemorate the life of the first woman to be ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Communion, the Rev. Florence Li Tim Oi, on the first anniversary of her death, February 26, 1993. The statement says that Li Tim Oi was "a role model for all women by her humility and persistence in spite of intense persecution and discrimination." Li Tim Oi, who was ordained in the Portuguese colony of Macau during the Japanese occupation of China during World War II, was required to cease functioning as a priest after the war. She felt, however, that her orders were from God and could not be revoked and later endured hardship for her faith during the Communist Cultural Revolution. Her ministry was recognized by Archbishop Robert Runcie in 1988. The EWC is making available two collects for Li Tim Oi and Return to Hepu, a videotape of her story. For further information contact the Episcopal Church's Office of Women in Mission and Ministry; tel. (800) 334-7626.