ANGLICANS in Ballarat have joined the fold of those doiceses which have ordained women priests.
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Reverend Anne McKenna of Stawell and Robyn Shackell of Warrnambool were ordained in a ceremony at the Ballarat Anglican Cathedral on Saturday.
The Anglican Synod of Ballarat approved the ordination of women to the priesthood in October.
Anglican Bishop of Ballarat Garry Weatherill described Saturday's ceremony as "very significant" for the church in the region.
"It is the first time women have been ordained in the Ballarat diocese," Bishop Weatherill said.
"It has been happening in Australia for 20 years but Ballarat has been very slow in that regard. Ballarat has been traditionally very conservative.
"This brings us into line with most of Australia."
Reverend McKenna will serve as priest-in-charge of the Stawell parish, while Reverend Shackell is assistant priest of the Warrnambool parish.
Two deacons, Mathew Crane of Warrnambool and Geoffrey Humble, were also ordained at the ceremony.