THE appointment of the first woman priest to St Paul's Cathedral has reopened deep divisions within the Church of England over the ordination of women.
The Rev Lucy Winkett (28), who was ordained six months ago, has been appointed a minor canon by a majority decision of the cathedral chapter.
The decision at such a prominent cathedral was welcomed by campaigners for the ordination of women as a "brilliant step" which would encourage more women priests. But it was condemned by traditionalists, who said it would alienate St Paul's Cathedral from many Anglicans in the Diocese of London.
Ms Winkett's appointment has caused a split at St Paul's. Canon John Halliburton, the Chancellor, and a minor canon, the Rev John Lees, are both opposed to the ordination of women and are said to have made their views clear.
Canon Halliburton said he would not attend celebrations of the Eucharist by Ms Winkett or join the cathedral's altar party as he did not recognise her as a priest.
However, he stressed that it was not a personal vendetta and he would not leave either the cathedral or the Church of England.
But the Dean of St Paul's, the Very Rev Dr John Moses, insisted that although there was a difference of opinion among clergy on the "deeply divisive issue" Ms Winkett had been the best candidate for the post - regardless of her sex.
Ms Winkett, who studied history at Cambridge University, is currently curate in a poor east London borough. She was said to have decided to become a priest after her fiancee died in a climbing accident five years ago.
But she was apparently unaware yesterday of the controversy raging at St Paul's as she is on a skiing holiday with a friend in Austria.
Ms Christina Rees, chairwoman of pressure group WATCH - Women And The Church, commenting on Ms Winkett's appointment, said: "I am especially pleased because St Paul's is one of the most prominent cathedrals in the land.
"This is a brilliant step for women priests. It is the type of appointment we have been longing to see. It will give a great deal of confidence to other women priests."
However the Rev Geoffrey Kirk, of the traditionalist group Forward in Faith, said the move would alienate many members of the Diocese of London as a majority opposed women priests.