For the Ven. Dr. Arnold Hollis, the support for ordaining women expressed by the Bishop of Bermuda candidates is welcome for both theological and personal reasons.

His daughter, Joanna Hollis, is due to graduate next May from the Church School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California.

She feels called to the priesthood – but since former Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray opposed the ordination of women, she felt she had to pursue this overseas.

Dr. Hollis, Rector of Sandy's Parish and Archdeacon Emeritus of Bermuda, explained: "She could not go through the process here because that was not what would happen with the former Bishop so she sought to have her acceptance by another diocese overseas. But she recognises that she's very much a Bermudian and I would expect at some point or another that she would be delighted to serve her home church.

"If I could live to see that day, that would be wonderful. I know her heart is here. She's very much a Bermudian but of course in order for her to go ahead with what she felt was her call from God, she had to go."

Explaining his stance in favour of the policy – which has sparked controversy within the Anglican church in other countries – Dr. Hollis said women have played an important and significant role in the life of the church through the ages as demonstrated by biblical references.

"They still do and perhaps if it wasn't for the women in the churches, churches would be fairly empty," he noted.

"I think that the church needs to wake up to the realisation that if we continue to ostracise women, who basically are the very source of our survival, then we're likely to find ourselves in deep straits as far as our future is concerned, so I would say yes, we need seriously to look at the ministry of women."

However, he stressed: "It has to be a ministry of persons called by God. Not simply a matter of persons who want to change the status quo of this male-dominated religion.

"I think what we need to be extremely careful of is laying hands suddenly on any man or woman. I believe it's important for the church to recognise that the person has received a call. I'm of the old school that believes in the fact that God calls us to ministry, not that we want to be and have to be because we have a right to be."

Asked if he felt the debate over female ordination could spark division in Bermuda, he replied: "I don't foresee at the present moment any controversy because, to my knowledge, we are not presently focused on that particular issue as far as resolving it. But I'm sure that once we're confronted with that issue there will be those who have comments to make yay or nay."