My answered prayer, by vicar in sex change (The Express)
My answered prayer, by vicar in sex changeBY ALUN REES AFTER years of pain and suffering, the Reverend Carol Ann Stone woke to find that her prayers had been answered. If it was a miracle, though, then it was one created by modern science. For only three months earlier Ms Stone had been better known to her parishioners as Peter. Britain’s first sex-change vicar yesterday unveiled her new image in public and spoke of the immense relief at being able to live and act like the woman she always wanted to be. Dressed in a smart navy-blue suit, high heels, beige blouse and wearing make-up, she declared: “This is a new beginning. I am finally glad to be myself. From the age of four my last prayer at night was to wake up as a girl. I am thrilled to finally be me.” Twice-divorced Ms Stone told her parishioners: “Those of you who remember me previously will recall a priest weighed down with a lifetime of personal baggage. That has now gone and I am looking forward to the future. “Before, there was a deep pool of suffering and sadness that was never ever doing anything but rising. Now I feel that whole part of my life is finished with.” Ms Stone, 46, the first divorcee to be allowed to continue as a member of the clergy, underwent a privately-funded sex-change operation in the summer. The vicar of St Philip’s Church in Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wiltshire, for four years, she went into hiding for three months while she recovered from the painful surgery. Ms Stone, explaining how she came to her decision, said: “I chose Carol Ann as a name because it is pretty. I have only had two vocations in life, being a priest and being a woman. “The hardest part now will be living a normal life. I hope I will be able to get back to the bread-and-butter job of being a priest. “My congregation has been fantastic. They are the best in the world, full of love, encouragement and humour. I am grateful to them.” She said she was “still mending” from the operation and revealed she has had new photographs taken for her revised passport and driving licence. The Rt Rev Barry Rogerson, Bishop of Bristol, giving Ms Stone his support, said: “It was summed up when members of the congregation said to me Carol is still a human being and is the same person to us.” As Peter, she spent five years at Dauntsey’s School and ran courses in martial arts and ballroom dancing. She now lives alone in her vicarage. Greta Davies, vice-chairman of St Philip’s church council, said: “There were some concerns for Peter and how he was coping because of the publicity and reaction to his news. But there has been overwhelming support from parishioners whose backing was incredible.” The Rev Bill Parry was forced to quit his position as vicar of Afan Valley, Port Talbot, Wales, in 1998 after announcing that he wanted a sex change. It was also reported that up to 21 Church of England clergy considered themselves stuck in the “wrong-gendered” body. |
