The Calling

The Calling is concerned with the representation of Anglican female priests in the United Kingdom. Here Hodgson has photographed these priests wearing simple cassocks, rather than the more elaborate clerical dress worn when officiating; these female priests are positioned among the vernacular architecture and religious artifacts of their church or cathedral. The formality of these portraits implies order, ceremony and ritual, all of which are important aspects of their lives as priests, while their position away from the altar focuses attention on their individuality. It is 21 years since female priests were first ordained into the Anglican Church. Since their inception their numbers have grown significantly and they now make up over a third of all full time clergy. They have, in the main, overcome initial prejudice to become established and well respected members of the church community. Many of these well-educated and highly intelligent women have moved to positions of high office, including the role of Dean, Canon and Queen’s Chaplain and in January 2015 the first female Bishop was consecrated.