A Catholic woman who travelled from the United States to witness the installation of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury has publicly urged the Vatican to "pay attention" to this groundbreaking event. Jane Varner Malhotra, a 57-year-old from Washington DC, joined well-wishers outside Canterbury Cathedral in Kent on Wednesday afternoon, holding a sign that read "Catholics, let's do this."
Historic Installation Marks a New Era
The service marked the beginning of Dame Sarah Mullally's ministry, making her the first woman to hold the Church of England's highest office in its 1,400-year history. This milestone stands in stark contrast to the Catholic Church, which still does not permit the ordination of women. Ms Varner Malhotra, a member of the Women's Ordination Conference, has been advocating for women's ordination within the Catholic Church for five decades.
A Personal Journey of Advocacy
Speaking to the Press Association, Ms Varner Malhotra expressed mixed emotions. "I feel like you all are lucky, and I hope the Catholics can get ourselves together and get this going quickly," she said. She described the atmosphere as "incredibly heart-warming," noting the diverse crowd of people from various religions and faith communities cheering them on. This, she contrasted with her experiences outside the Vatican, where many Catholics feel unable to voice support for such changes publicly.
Her advocacy stems from childhood experiences. "Since I was a child, I wanted to be an altar server, and at that time they wouldn't let girls do that," she recalled. "Ever since then I've been helping expand the Catholic imagination for what women can do." She emphasized that this historic day is a significant milestone for people worldwide, regardless of their religious affiliation, as it showcases women in pivotal leadership roles.
Celebrating Dame Sarah's Leadership
When asked about Dame Sarah, Ms Varner Malhotra praised her as a "natural leader," highlighting her unique approach to assuming the role. Dame Sarah undertook a six-day pilgrimage, walking from London to Canterbury, which concluded on Sunday. "You could see that from her pilgrimage to get here, not many people take that kind of approach," Ms Varner Malhotra noted, underscoring the symbolic and spiritual significance of this journey.
This event not only celebrates a historic first for the Church of England but also sparks broader conversations about gender equality in religious institutions globally. As Ms Varner Malhotra's presence and words indicate, it serves as a powerful call to action for the Catholic Church and other faith communities to reconsider their stances on women's roles in leadership.
