Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams...

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Apologies to W.B Yeats, but this morning as I worked in 'the office', one of my colleagues came in to make himself a cup of coffee. He is a lovely guy and always has a bright, welcoming smile.

I could tell that there was something on his mind, however, and soon enough he asked me what I thought of women's ordinations. 

Did we have them in Ireland?

Now, this is where cultural sensitivity comes in! 

Being a guest here, and respecting local tradition and values, I explained that we had been blessed to have the ordination of women in Ireland for some time. 

There then followed an interesting discussion in which I mostly and politely listened, and which occurred in somewhat halting English, and concerned the 'scriptural' basis for the non-ordination of women, leaning heavily on St. Paul and tradition.

Now I know that poor old Paul is frequently used to justify this approach, (I imagine much to his chagrin as he looks down), but this reliance on one or two verses from his letters completely ignores the historical reality of his pastoral approach to issues which faced the often wayward and belligerent church in Corinth. 

I sincerely doubt that Paul, who engaged in ministry with many, many women in leadership roles in the early church, would appreciate the way in which his theology has been hijacked!

Neither would Lydia, Phoebe, nor Prisca be impressed!

It would also fly in the face of his wonderful assertion in Galatians 3:28 -

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

In any event, my objective is to win friends and assist here in any way I can, so I smiled and nodded and we remain good friends.

After all, Bishop Mouneer is a staunch advocate of dialogue and, as he quite rightly says, true dialogue can only take place where there is genuine love and respect for the other and for tradition.

We don't always have to agree, and the beauty of Anglicanism is its breadth and depth.

I also received an invitation from the Irish Embassy to a Blooms Day event, which is taking place next Tuesday here in Zamalek.

 I don't have a boater, but I do have a hat!!

That should be fun! 


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