Why Women Can’t Be Ordained

Excerpt from an interview with Bishop Peter and The Right Reverend and Right Worshipful Professor Barry Peachey.

Is the AIC against women’s ordination because all the apostles were men?

Some argue that Jesus only appointed male apostles due to the social norms of his time. However, Jesus regularly defied social conventions—he dined with tax collectors, associated with prostitutes, and challenged the Pharisees. Given that many religions of the era had priestesses, if it had been God’s will to appoint female apostles, he would have done so.

Are there early church sources on this?

The Church has upheld this teaching from the beginning. In 215 AD, Hippolytus wrote: “When a widow is to be appointed, she is not to be ordained, but is designated by being named a widow… Hands are not to be imposed on her, because she does not offer the oblation and she does not conduct the liturgy.” Similarly, the Council of Laodicea in 360 AD stated: “The so-called presbyteresses or presidentesses are not to be ordained.”

What does “designated by being named a widow” and “offer the oblation” mean?

This refers to the ancient and traditional Order of Deaconesses, a lay ministry for widowed or unmarried women, ensuring family duties were not compromised. “Offering the oblation” means presenting the bread and wine in the Eucharist, a role reserved for ordained clergy.

Do women have a role in the Church?

Absolutely. The Church has always taught that men and women are equal but have different roles. Jesus had many female disciples, including Mary Magdalene, who remained at the cross while most male apostles fled. Women have historically held significant roles in the Church, including lay ministry and governance. St Paul commended Phoebe’s church work in Romans 16, referring to her as a “minister” in some translations, and praised Priscilla for hosting a church in her home. Claims that the Church views women as inferior do not hold up to scrutiny.

Doesn’t St Paul say women should be silent in church?

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14 are often misused by those advocating for women’s ordination. Context is key—Corinth was notorious for pagan temple prostitution, where women priests engaged in mass orgies. To Corinthians, “women priest” meant “temple prostitute.” Paul’s instruction aimed to protect women from association with this culture, not to silence them permanently in worship.

What has the Roman Catholic Church said?

In Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (1994), Pope John Paul II affirmed: “I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.” This has been the position of the Church for 2000 years and remains upheld by Roman Catholics, Orthodox Churches, and many traditional Anglicans. The question remains: by what authority does a minority within the Lambeth Communion disregard this history and teaching in favour of modern social trends?