Women priests prove popular in Anglican diocese

A survey conducted by the Anglican diocese of Ripon and Leeds has shown that women priests are proving popular with parishioners. Nearly 50 parishes in the diocese, who have now experienced women working as vicars or curates, were asked for their views. The survey found that all the parishes that responded said the women did "as good a job as male clergy". Women priests were praised particularly for their good caring skills, and for being hard working and approachable. The results of the survey were being presented to a church conference held in Leeds over the weekend to mark ten years since the first women were ordained at Ripon Cathedral. There are currently 47 ordained women in the diocese. Three more are due to join them this summer. a strong advocate of women's ministry, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, has called for the removal of the "stained glass ceiling" in the Anglican church that prevents women becoming bishops.