The Lead-Up to Ordination: 1973

In 1973 the constitutional change allowing women’s ordination was again proposed, and the resolution came before the House of Deputies in Louisville on the fifth day of the General Convention. Deputy Charles Lawrence of New York presented the majority report of the Committee on the Ordination of Women, recommending that Convention “proceed to provide for the ordination of women,” this time proposing it as a canonical amendment. Deputy Guthrie spoke for the majority opinion. After a debate, a vote by orders was called.

Though the majority of deputies voted for ordination, the high number of divided diocesan votes meant that neither order managed the 57 votes required to pass the amendment, and once again the ordination of women was postponed. The Minority Report of the Committee on the Ordination of Women was then presented, calling again for the ordination of women to be discussed among the Anglican Communion as a whole. Deputy Considine of Northwest Texas moved to add language noting that “This House of Deputies has indicated by majority vote that it is prepared to authorize the ordination of women,” but the amendment was defeated. The motion to consult other churches was, however, carried.