Anglican Church, Ghana, endorses the ordination of women priests

Accra, June 21, GNA - The Anglican Church, Ghana, on Sunday made history when the 20th synod, the highest decision making body of the mission resolved to consecrate women as priests. Until this decision, which was laid before synod about 10 years ago, women could only serve as chalices (that is administer wine during communion).

The Anglican Church did now allow the ordination of women as priests.

However, a tribunal in Australia ruled that there was nothing in the Church's constitution that prevents the consecration of a woman priest.

The rule made reference to the law of the Church of England Clarification Canon 1992 and paved the way in 2007 for the ordination of women as priests in the Anglican mission. Most Reverend Dr Justice Ofei Akrofi, Provincial Archbishop of West Africa said: "Women will now be ordained as members of the priesthood".

He urged members to contribute towards the construction of a laboratory and equipment for the take off of the Anglican University College of Technology.

He said the Church's Retreat Centre at Ashaley-Botwe needed a hostel and again appealed to members to contribute towards that project. Most Rev. Dr Akrofi said the Church would do whatever possible to assist government to its dreams for the good of all Ghanaians. He said the Anglican Church would educate its members especially those that sell in the street to find alternative ways of selling their items than in the streets.

"We will do whatever possible to encourage members of my church to vacate the streets," he said. He told the youth to invest their time productively and urged parents to have time for their children. "Parents share productive times and life with your children at home regularly," he said.

The synod inducted into office Madam Sabina Ofori Boateng, a legal practitioner, Chancellor for the Accra Diocese, Mr Bliss Nii Amartey Espur as the Registrar of the Accra Diocese and Mr Ebo Selby as his Assistant Registrar.

The role of the chancellor is to advise the Bishop, synod, committees and boards of the diocese, while the registrar is responsible for all documentations relating to ordination of clergy and licensing of readers.