Women and Holy Orders

Being the Report of a Commission appointed by
the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
Published by the Church Information Office, London. Dec. 1966

CHAPTER III

Psychological and other Related Considerations

31 Arguments both for and against the ordination of women to the priesthood draw upon the findings of psychology, biology and sociology, which are used not only in considering the practicalities of a minister’s life but also in theological discussion of the nature of man and woman. Empirical data from these sciences are particularly relevant to four questions, which have been distinguished and emphasised in the deliberations of the Commission.

(a) What are the demonstrable psychological differences between the sexes which are significant with regard to the tasks performed by a priest?

(b) Are the differences universal and unalterable? This question bears upon the issue of whether the social changes throughout Christian history have brought about a new situation regarding the sex of the priesthood. It points to difficulties in concepts such as the differences in the nature of man and woman which are inherent in creation, although such formulations go beyond the methods of thought of the social and biological sciences.

(c) What is the symbolical significance of the priest for the social group? What is likely to be the effect upon the individual Christian and upon the community of the Church of a change in the traditional sexual symbolism?

(d) How important is the interplay of rational and irrational factors in arguments on both sides of the question and how can the operation of prejudice be minimised?

32 Some definite statements can be made, particularly in answer to questions (a) and (b); but in many areas of psychology there are few established facts, and judgments can only be made about what is probable or possible. Sweeping categorical statements, not infrequently used polemically, are more likely to represent a priori assumptions than valid inferences from the evidence. The following brief summary of a discussion of the above-mentioned questions should best be read in conjunction with the more extended presentation in Supplementary Essay A (pp. 45).

33 (a) Psychological differences between the sexes

Statistical investigations of large numbers of men and women reveal significant sexual differences in modes of perception, thought, feeling and social behaviour as well as in bodily form and function. A statement of these general trends can be most misleading, however. There is no psychological quality which is peculiar to one sex and within each there is a very wide variation in aptitudes. The statistical results cannot be applied to individual cases and are of little relevance in deciding upon the suitability of a particular person for a particular job. There are no mental aptitudes or personality characteristics which are confined to men, nor are there any biological or psychological qualities of the female sex which preclude a woman from performing the duties of an ordained minister.

34 (b) Sexual differences and changing social roles

Psychological sex differences are, to some extent, innately determined, but learning by experience is of greater importance than heredity. All societies have recognised psychological and social differences between men and women but the nature of the difference, and of those qualities regarded as being typically masculine and feminine, has varied greatly. Cultural influences determine the value ascribed to a particular masculine or feminine trait, and either promote or inhibit its expression. Every person inherits potentialities for developing characteristics of the opposite sex— everyone is, in a sense, both sexes but more of one than the other. There is evidence that in Western culture there has been a change in the social roles of the sexes and in the traditional stereotypes associated with them. Theological statements about the ‘ nature ’ of man and woman, or of masculine and feminine ‘ principles ’, often involve assumptions about the desirability of particular sexual roles and need to be considered in the light of the genetic and sociological evidence. The Church and its ministry exist, and have always existed, in changing societies, in different cultures and sub-cultures.

35 (c) The symbolism of the priest

The personal qualities of a priest are, in many circumstances, less important than what he represents, or symbolises, for the members of his parish and congregation. Through repeated experiences, especially in relationships with parents in the formative years of childhood, a person develops emotionally charged conceptions of man and woman, male and female, masculine and feminine. These ‘ images ’ of father, mother, brother, sister, lover and beloved are not wholly accessible to introspection, nor capable of rational modification; yet they profoundly influence behaviour, and play an important part in religious belief and worship. The complex and subtle factors which operate in symbolism are as yet imperfectly understood; speculation can run riot and such evidence as there is can be used to support very different conclusions about which symbols are appropriate at the present time. The psychological effects of the ordination of women, where this has occurred, have not been closely observed and are difficult to assess. The consequences of such an innovation might well be profound but their nature cannot be predicted with any confidence.

36 (d) Prejudice and the ordination of women

When the possibility of an important change touches upon powerful, and often unconscious, anxieties and wishes, rational reflection is likely to be seriously affected by emotional bias. Such bias, which not infrequently amounts to inflexible prejudice, is evident in some conflicts arising from the suggestion that women should be ordained. It is important that a determined effort should be made to understand and minimise these reactions, but the widespread and continued existence of powerful irrational motives cannot be ignored. Those who advocate admission of women to the priesthood must be aware of the difficulty in predicting and controlling the behaviour which is prompted by deep-seated emotional attitudes.

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