Bishop Jackie First Woman to Lead Exeter's Maundy Thursday ...

CAPTION: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood, Bishop Jackie was among the first women to be ordained in 1994.

Posted: 27th March, 2024

The Acting Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, will become the first woman in history to lead the annual Chrism Eucharist at Exeter Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.

The service is a major gathering of clergy and licensed lay ministers from across Devon, during which they renew their ministerial vows. It is an opportunity to thank them for their ministry and faithfulness in serving God and the people in their care.

During the service, holy oils used for anointing and prayers for healing are blessed by the bishop and distributed to the congregation to take back to their parishes.

The word chrism means consecrated oil.

Bishop Jackie said “The oil that is blessed at the service will at times be used in public ceremony – at the licensing of clergy, at baptism, at confirmation, at ordination, at a service for healing – and other times in private – at a hospital bedside, in a person’s home as they near the end of their life. Whether public or private, it is always an intimate moment, a God moment, a sacred space.”

The Chrism Eucharist service has been taking place at Exeter Cathedral for centuries.

Bishop Jackie said: ‘It is my very great privilege to be presiding at this wonderful gathering and it is especially moving to be doing so this year as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of women being ordained to the priesthood. I am grateful for all my sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Exeter as we together live out our calling to follow Christ and to serve the people of Devon with joy.’

Read interviews of some of the first women priests reflecting on the 30th anniversary here.