Real-life Vicar of Dibley sparks unrest
The imminent arrival of a real-life Vicar Of Dibley has sparked unrest among worshippers angry at the prospect of a woman vicar.
The Reverend Carrie Thompson is to be the first ever woman vicar at St John the Evangelist church in Gosport.
But rather than welcome news of her arrival some parishoners are furious at the prospect of having a young, go-getting 30-year-old woman as their spiritual leader.
When her appointment was announced at the end of a Sunday service one member of the congregation walked out in disgust.
A retired married couple have since turned their backs on the church and a handful of older worshippers are known to be deciding whether they can carry on attending a church with a female vicar.
Paul Whitton, warden at the church in Forton Road, said: 'We have people who are deciding whether they can actually cope with a female priest, the traditionalists from the older generation, but they aren't many in number.'
The situation is strikingly similar to the Vicar of Dibley comedy series, in which village residents are shocked when their first ever female vicar, played by Dawn French, starts at the church.
Ms Thompson told The News she expects teething problems when she starts in Gosport in January, but is confident the majority of people don't have an issue with female vicars.
'The Church of England took the decision to ordain women in 1992, so in church terms having a woman Vicar is still a new thing,' she said.
'I would say it will take a bit of getting used to, but I think the majority of the church is very good about it.'
Ms Thompson has wanted to be a vicar since she was aged just eight and has risen through the ranks very quickly.
She said: 'It is relatively young for a vicar these days, but I've wanted to be a priest since I was very young, so I suppose I came to the decision relatively early.'
Ms Thompson is moving to Gosport from South-East London where she is assistant curate of the Parish of Camberwell.
She is to be inducted and at the church on Monday, January 28.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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