Parish praise for women priests

Women priests were first ordained in Ripon 10 years ago

Women priests are proving popular in Leeds and parts of North Yorkshire, according to the Church of England.

Nearly 50 parishes in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds who have experience of women as vicars or curates were asked for their views.

Church leaders say that all the parishes that responded said women did as good a job as male clergy.

In particular, women priests were said to have good caring skills as well as being hard working and approachable.

The results of the survey were being presented to a church conference being held in Leeds this weekend to mark ten years since the first women were ordained at Ripon Cathedral.

There are currently 47 ordained women in the diocese with three more due to join them this summer.

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, is a strong advocate of women's ministry and has called for the removal of the "stained glass ceiling" that prevents women becoming bishops.