Belizean women to be ordained into Anglican Priesthood
On Saturday, May fifteenth, the Anglican Church of Belize will ordain its first three graduates of a four-year course at the Anglican Theological Institute in Belize City. The candidates are Lynda Carmita Moguel, Constancio Apolnario Perez and Illona Lousie Smiling. The ceremony is historical not only because the graduates who are Belizeans will be the first Anglican priests to receive all of their advanced theological training in Belize, but for the first time Belizean women will be entering the Anglican priesthood.
Sylvester Romero Palma, Bishop, Anglican Diocese
“The Diocese of Belize had given its approval some years ago but since we are a part of the Province of the West Indies, the West Indies did not approve it at their Synod. Their Provision Synod until a year ago approved the ordination of women and so that gave us the approval to go ahead and so we immediately took advantage of that.
We have a lot of women involved doing Ministry. Of course that step forward in terms of Ordination is a serious step. We are traditional people but I think more and more especially among the younger generation, we are experiencing changes and we are trying not to stick to traditions but trying to make changes that say something about what we are living in. I think the Ordination of women is one of those processes and I am sure that they are already respected. I am sure they will be more respected when they see the work that they are doing.”
The Ordination ceremony takes place at the Anglican Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, May fifteenth.