Breaking the Stained-Glass Ceiling: More Women Than Men Now Ordained in Brisbane Anglican Diocese

Breaking the Stained-Glass Ceiling: More Women Than Men Now Ordained in Brisbane Anglican Diocese

In a historic milestone for the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, women have now surpassed men in ordination as deacons and priests, marking a profound shift in church leadership that has been decades in the making. This transformation, which began amid controversy 30 years ago, reflects a growing recognition of women’s vital role in ministry and leadership within one of Australia’s largest Christian communities.

Since 1992, women have made up just over half of those ordained as deacons (50.2%) and priests (51.5%) in Brisbane. This year, the balance tipped decisively in favor of female clergy, signaling a new era where the church’s leadership more fully reflects the giftedness of its entire community.

Bishop Sarah Plowman, the first woman consecrated as a Brisbane bishop, highlights the importance of this progress. She challenges more traditional dioceses to embrace women’s leadership, noting that churches everywhere need all hands on deck in these challenging times for organized religion. “We women are beginning to catch up at last,” Bishop Plowman says, emphasizing that women now serve fully as deacons, priests, and bishops, embodying the full ministry of Christ’s body.

Yet, despite these gains, challenges remain. Some dioceses, like Sydney, still restrict women from becoming priests or bishops, and even in progressive Brisbane, outdated expectations persist, such as assumptions that women clergy should work part-time regardless of their circumstances.

The stories of women like Reverend Lyn Kareta, who transitioned from a corporate HR career to ordained ministry, and Reverend Ann Edwards, who leads a suburban parish, illustrate the diverse paths women take to serve the church. They also underscore the urgent need to utilize all available talent as churches face declining attendance and societal upheaval.

This progress builds on the courage of trailblazers like Reverend Kaye Pitman, one of the first women ordained in 1993, who faced fierce opposition rooted in traditional biblical interpretations. Today, she continues to serve and mentor new generations of women clergy, embodying the spirit of perseverance and faith.

Currently, women make up 38% of active clergy in Brisbane, well above the national average of less than 25%. Women also hold key leadership roles, including assistant bishops, archdeacons, and area deans, enriching the church with fresh energy and insight.

Archbishop Jeremy Greaves notes that this increase in women’s leadership has revitalized the church and suggests that other denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, could benefit from similar changes.

Voices from the Community: Diverse Perspectives on Change

Dr.D:

“The Anglican Church has been run by women for the past century. It's only now that they have the genuine article in charge. The problem will always be in the DNA and the authorised text. Still they couldn't do a worse job than the current incumbents and you can rest assured the emphasis in sermons will be unchanged.”

Ian:

“Watch the flock diminish. Nothing to do with Christianity.”

rebecca:

“Church attendance in the Brisbane Anglican Diocese is at an all time low. Why don't they focus on that problem?”

Michael:

“I thought the point of the Anglican Church was to strengthen people in their faith in Christ, and to invite more people to follow him? This gender stuff is both unscriptural and a distraction from the purpose of the church.”

John Steen:

“It simply reflects the reality that of the men and women who may feel called to serve as priests, there are many more middle aged women than men who find they now have the time to do it.”

My Truth:

“Most pastoral and parish work is done during the evening when volunteer leaders and congregants are not working and most women with families prefer not to work in the evening.”

The diverse perspectives shared in the comments section below reflect the range of reactions from readers of the original article published by The Australian.

Looking Ahead

The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane’s journey toward gender equality in ministry is a powerful example of breaking barriers and embracing the full gifts of all God’s people. While challenges and debates remain, the growing presence of women in leadership roles brings fresh energy and perspectives to the church.

As the church continues to evolve, the hope is that this momentum will inspire broader acceptance and celebration of women’s leadership across all faith communities, helping to revitalize and sustain the church’s mission in a changing world.

For more on this journey, read our previous story celebrating the consecration of Bishop Sarah Plowman, a landmark moment for women’s leadership in Brisbane’s Anglican community: Celebrating the Consecration of Sarah Plowman as Bishop

Watch the insightful interview below to hear directly from key figures about the growing role of women in the Brisbane Anglican Diocese.

Video/Photo source and copyright: The Australian