Being one of the first women to be ordained into the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in 1992, the Right Reverend Margaret Vertue is the second woman to be consecrated as an Anglican Bishop in the whole of Africa. Although leadership positions in the church were previously reserved for men, Vertue knew without a doubt that she was destined for leadership in God’s ministry.
“I knew from a very young age that I was called to be an Anglican priest. I grew up in Kimberley and was always involved in the life of the Church. I was ordained a deacon in 1991 and a priest in 1992. Together with Rev Wilma Jakobsen, we were the first women priests to be ordained in the Diocese of Cape Town,” she says.
In October 2012, Vertue was elected as the Bishop of the Diocese of False Bay. “I did not expect to be elected. I was the only woman candidate alongside five men. At the moment of the announcement of my election, I fell on my knees in the church where the Elective Assembly was being held, dedicating myself to God knowing that it was only by the Grace of God that I could fulfil this calling. God’s Grace is sufficient.”
Having served for 29 years, Bishop Vertue’s journey has come with many profound lessons, challenges and triumphs.
“In ministry, one has to keep in mind that you will get hurt and often people are not conscious of the pain they are causing. A sense of humour is a must. I am disciplined about drawing aside for prayer to keep the wild side of my spirituality burning.”
Central to her life in the ministry is her fight for inclusivity, female representation and equal opportunities. She is also very passionate about the role the church ought to play in fighting various social ills.
“Gender sensitisation and addressing the issues of masculinity together with teachings on the sanctity of marriage and family values is important and ongoing. Often in our liturgies and language, women are excluded. More inclusive language is needed. As a church we are striving to have equal representation of women at all leadership and decision-making levels of the church,”
“Our young people also need to be given a voice and be heard to address issues of male domination, male privilege and patriarchy,” says the bishop.
Her fight for a just society for all is one she tackled alongside her sister in the ministry, the late Right Reverend Ellinah Wamukoya, who was the first black female bishop in the Anglican Church in Africa. She sadly passed away in January due to Covid-19 complications.
“Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya will always be remembered as the first woman bishop of the Anglican Church of SA and Africa. Globally, she is honoured as caring for the environment and producing creative liturgies and other materials to raise awareness in this regard.
"She was a sought-after speaker, particularly on issues affecting the environment. What stood out for me, besides her episcopacy, was her care for her husband, family and abundant love for her grandchildren,” says Bishop Vertue as she fondly remembers her colleague.
Since the passing of Bishop Wamukoya, the False Bay Diocese is currently the only diocese out of 29 that is led by a woman. Indeed, women previously weren’t allowed to occupy positions of leadership in the church. This, according to Vertue, is why there aren’t as many female bishops as there ought to be.
“We need to remember that women have only been ordained for 29 years, whereas men have a much longer history of ordination. It is, however, no excuse for it taking 20 years to elect the first women bishop and no more since then. We are moving in the right direction as some of my brother bishops are appointing women clergy into prominent leadership positions,” says the Anglican bishop.
With the hope that many women are yet to follow in her ministerial footsteps, the legacy that Bishop Vertue aims to leave behind is one of care and respect for all people, and serving with humility in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Ultimately, her wish is that all women in ministry may lead with courage, conviction and compassion.
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