Lesson 13 To consider the theological history behind The Vicar of Dibley To look at scenes which reflect the tensions in the debate about women’s ordination

The Vicar of Dibley is a British sitcom created by Richard Curtis and written for its lead actress, Dawn French, It was aired from 1994 to It is set in a fictional small Oxfordshire village called Dibley, which is assigned a female vicar following the 1992 changes in the Church of England that permitted the ordination of women. The main character was an invention of Richard Curtis, but he and Dawn French extensively consulted the Rev. Joy Carroll, one of the first female priests, and garnered many character traits and much information. In ratings terms, the programme is amongst the most successful in the digital era.

Rev Joy Carroll, one of the first women to be ordained priest and the inspiration behind the Vicar of Dibley 1

In 1992 The General Synod of the Church of England voted to allow women to become priests. It was an incredibly close vote that meant everything to so many people on both sides of the argument. Before this day, women could only become deacons – clergy but unable to represent Christ in the Eucharist or absolve sins. 500 anglican clergy left the church because of this vote. They felt strongly they could not remain in a church that ordained women. Other people to leave the church and join the Catholic faith included Ann Widdecombe. Other clergy and laity asked for special areas to be set up where only men would serve as ordained priests. A traditionalist in The Vicar of Dibley describes the move as one of ‘the frivolous excesses of the modern church’ 2

What are the arguments against women priests? Jesus had only male disciples. It would cause further divisions between the Church of England and the Catholic Church when all Christians are called to ’the unity of Christ’ – we need to be patient and move forward together Throughout 2000 years of church history only men have been priests – what right do we have to overthrow tradition? The priest represents Jesus at the Eucharist – historically, Jesus was male. A woman cannot stand as His representative. The Bible is categorically against the ‘headship of women’. St Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘Women should learn in silence and humility. I do not allow them to teach or have authority over men; they must keep quiet’ This is because of the sin of Eve but also, through Christian theological history, going back to Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, women have been seen as socially, intellectually and biologically inferior]

What are the arguments for women priests? The Bible is open to interpretation – St Paul was writing to a very different world to the one in which we now live. Jesus did have female disciples and he was clearly close to them and valued them – male history has reduced their significance. When the priest represents Christ at the Eucharist it is not as a man or a woman, but as the suffering and reconciling Godhead. ‘In Christ there is neither male nor female’ The witness of the church as a paradigm of justice and compassion loses credibility so long as it allows women to be treated as second class citizens. Jesus stood for equality and justice. He broke rules – including religious rules – and had he not, Christianity would not exist. Ordaining women is in keeping with the Spirit of Christ. 3

Out of this most profound argument about the nature of God and interpretation of Scriptures grew the best comedy in the last part of the twentieth century.

Research OfCom (the Office of Communication - the regulatory body that oversees all television broadcasting) especially in relation to the broadcasting code and the guidelines which need to be followed when recording religious programmes ? Find out about recent developments in BBC broadcasting and the watershed moment. 4