Editor's notes

Most of this issue is comprised of a very significant set of essays on a very significant topic. Though nearly all the churches of the Anglican Communion have arrived at and acted upon the judgment that priestly orders may be conferred on women, by no means have all the theological issues been put to rest, while in the wider ecumenical context the whole matter is still a divisive one. Discussion continues, and should continue. These essays make an important and noteworthy contribution. Among the arguments that can be marshaled in favor of limiting the presbyterate to men, one of the most plausible rests on the idea that the priest, especially as eucharistic presider, constitutes an "image of Christ." What, then, is the relation between gender and the imaging of Christ? And how does it bear on the roles, lay or clerical, of women in the church?

These many-sided questions were the focus of discussion at a pair of consultations held in 1996, under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Utrecht, in which scholars from Orthodox and Old Catholic churches took part. The proceedings were published in German two years later, and they are presented here in English. So far, neither the papers delivered nor the common statement formulated at these consultations has any official standing. They are no less intrinsically interesting for that, however. Since some of the Old Catholic churches, but none of the Orthodox, ordain women presbyters, a dialogue such as this would be instructive even apart from the conclusion the participants arrived at. Among Anglicans in particular, there is a long-standing tradition of respect and admiration for the Orthodox approach to theology, and the Old Catholics in Europe have been in full communion with the Anglican churches for some time.

But the conclusion the consultations reached is, in fact, remarkable. Duncan Reid, currently dean of the United Faculty of Theology in Melbourne, who translated and prepared "Gender and the Image of Christ" for publication in the ATR, has called the common statement a tentative step from an unlikely quarter. And so it is. For, to quote the original editors of the proceedings, an agreement was reached that "there are no compelling dogmatic-theological reasons for not ordaining women to the priesthood." To be sure, these words have to be understood within their context-the entire discussion, the supporting argument, the qualifications. We therefore have every reason to be thankful to Dr. Reid for making the whole ensemble of materials available in English. Thanks are due as well to the institutions and individuals, named in his introduction, whose generosity has helped to underwrite the publication of the collection. May it promote the open and sympathetic dialogue of which it is itself a shining example.

On the same note of gratitude, may I call attention to the list of donors at the end of this issue? Though much of the work of putting the ATR together is unpaid, the cost of publishing the journal far exceeds what subscriptions bring in. Parishes, institutions, and individuals make all the difference, especially to our Seminaries Abroad Gift Program. To these quiet coworkers it is right, and a good and joyful thing, to give thanks.

As it ends, so too this issue begins with thanksgiving. For many years and in many ways the world of scholarship and the life of the church were enriched by the manifold contributions of Gibson Winter, priest, professor, and prophet. In his memory Eugene Lowe has written the account on the next page, which is followed by a prayer offered at Dr. Winter's funeral.

Two contributions from England, Christopher Calderhead's review of a striking and unusual exhibition of art constructed from weapons, and John Macquarrie's appreciation of David Brown's theology, follow the poetry section and lead to an unusually rich assembly of book reviews. These, in turn, are followed by another pair: Catherine Wallace reaps her "Gleanings" at the frontiers of faith and culture, and Ian Douglas provides a guide to essential reading in missiology, an interdisciplinary field of study which is still in the process of defining itself.

CHARLES HEFLING

Acting Editor

Copyright Anglican Theological Review, Inc. Summer 2002
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