21 September 2026

Bede’s historical record about Hilda and the monastery at Whitby has a contemporary ring to it. Her ministry as the leader of a double monastery is remarkable. She was not alone in exercising so much power in the church. How was it possible for a woman to do this in the seventh century?

Anne Warin in her biography of Hilda argues that it was partly to do with the position of noble women within Anglo-Saxon society. They were ‘guardians of knowledge … able administrators of court and estate … Their rights of property and inheritance were protected by law …’

Whilst the ministry of women has been developed in the Kirk and the Church of England, it has yet to be developed more fully in the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches. What happened to this wise, vibrant and influential ministry of women celebrated so brilliantly in seventh century Whitby?

As well as the difficulties surrounding the ministry of women, Bede also exposes the theological differences which existed fourteen hundred years ago. It is heartening to realise that we are not alone in having to cope with theological differences.

At the time of the Synod of Whitby, there were people like Wilfrid who wanted to impose his theological position upon the whole church. And people like Hilda who were able to accept that different theological positions could co-exist.

The division is still evident. There are those who interpret the Scriptures literally and those who reflect more critically on the Word of God. Sixty years ago, they split over the ordination  of women. More recently, it has been ministers in same-sex marriages. What will be next?