Bermuda's Anglican church is considering reversing its traditional opposition to women priests as it grapples with a dearth of clerical candidates.

But pro-reform supporters are gearing up for a long fight because the church's head, Bishop Ewen Ratteray, is believed to be against the change, despite sanctioning the establishment of a commission into the issue.

Last night the Bishop refused to answer questions on the matter.

Supporter of women clergy, the Rev. Andrew Doughty of St. Mary's Church in Warwick, said: "I think the majority of my colleagues are in favour but we have not had the chance to discuss it. But Bishop Ewen (Ratteray) may have a good deal of support -- he is against it as far as I understand it.

"He believes in unity -- he sees this as fragmenting the church, but I believe there are two basic philosophies present -- for and against -- and they have to live with each other.

"The Church of England took three major votes over 14 years -- even then the final vote went to the wire. The votes of five lay people turned it.

Anglicans consider allowing women priests "I believe in an inclusive priesthood -- until men and women are represented in priestly ministry we are all weakened.'' In the January Diocesan newsletter Bishop Ratteray revealed that a commission had been set up last month to examine ways to encourage people to be ordained to the ministry.

He wrote: "Included in their brief is consideration of the matter of gender in regard to ordination.

"The appointment of a such a commission has become a necessity for three reasons.

"First of all because, as of this moment, there is only one ordinand in training -- David Addington.'' But he said Mr. Addington was not likely to become a deacon until September and there were no others set to come forward.

He went on: "The average age of the present clergy is high -- none of us are getting any younger though we are reasonably fit.

"Something needs to be done to address the situation.'' Bishop Ratteray told The Royal Gazette : "We ordained two people two years ago -- there has been no one since.'' He said the Commission would makes its report some time this year.

Canvassing of parishes is expected to follow before the matter is decided by the Synod -- the church's ruling body.

Asked about ordination of women priests, Bishop Ratteray said: "I am not about to comment at this stage until the commission reports.'' However in 1993 Bishop Ratteray, then rector of St. John's Church in Pembroke, said he hoped Bermuda would never ordain women.

A year earlier the Church of England accepted women priests after a long battle.

In Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Antigua woman priests are allowed and they have been sanctioned in Canada since the 1970s where they are now coming through at Bishop level.

Asked what led to Bishop Ratteray putting the issue on the agenda, Mr. Doughty said: "Whatever he does is carefully thought out and prayed over.'' "The church has to contend with the wider issues of sexism. I believe this is an issue that Bermuda and the Anglican church has not really tackled.

"I believe we need to put in better support for young families and pregnant women.'' Longstanding church member Charles Webbe, who is the warden of the Cathedral, said he was very much in favour of the idea.

He said: "Women have a role in every aspect of society so I don't see why the clergy should be segregated.

"I think if a woman has a vocation to be called to the priesthood I don't see any biblical reason for them to be denied it.

"I don't want to question the Bishop who might have different views.

"But as a man who worships in the church, I would be ashamed if women were denied permission to take part in the clergy because women make up quite a major portion of church attendances.

"There is no logical reason or moral reason why they should not be allowed to make it to the clergy.

"I have suffered enough from discrimination; the last thing I would want to do is visit discrimination on another person just because they are a woman.

"It might run counter to a lot of persons in my church but so be it.'' The alarm over the shortage of potential clerics in an Island which features the oldest Protestant church in the western hemisphere was raised by the Rev.

Patrick White, when he left St. John's in June last year.

Dr. White said then: "In view of the desire on the part of some to have more Bermudian clergy, it would seem that the Church is not doing itself any favours by excluding half of the Anglican membership from the possibility of exercising that Ministry.'' He said ordination of women would be a "great blessing'' here and would open doors for Bermudians.

And Bermuda's Anglican church has made some moves to reform -- in 1993 approval was put in place to welcome visiting women priests to preach alongside local rectors.

Bishop Ewen Ratteray