Female priest’s ‘sadness’ at opposition to communion

THE first female priest to celebrate holy communion in a 900-year-old church has said it is “wrong” to ordain those who do not believe women should be priests

Reverend Cindy Kent, 75, made history at the St Thomas the Apostle on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, which dates back to the late 11th century, when she celebrated Holy Communion there on Nov 1. The church, which has no running water and gets its lighting from candles and oil lamps, holds one mass one Sunday a month and, for years, previous clergy had fought to keep female priests out to “maintain tradition”.

But when the Rev Tim Foreman retired, women were welcomed in.

Rev Kent said: “There were only about 10 of us but it was such a joyful occasion. And after the service, one couple asked me to marry them. I do hope I am invited back.

“I feel honoured and pleased that the barrier has been broken.

“There are still churches that will not allow a woman to celebrate holy communion, and that is a point of sadness for me and for a lot of other women priests and man priests as well.”

The priest, also a former radio host, was the lead singer of Sixties pop group The Settlers, and they had a hit with The Lightning Tree from the children’s TV show Follyfoot. She is also a familiar sight at Minster Abbey and Holy Trinity church, Sheerness.

She added: “There was a guy in the early days who categorically told me he wouldn’t receive from me. I just think it’s wrong that we should allow people to be ordained with that view.”