Church sexism lawsuit banned as vicar in Dawn French’s former town

The Dibley vicar would certainly chuckle at the irony – after a church near Star Dawn French’s former home voted against a priestess.

St Fimbarrus in Fowey, Cornwall is at the center of a sexism storm over a resolution passed by the parish not to have a female vicar.

Despite being without a pastor for four years, a minority in the community said they could not remain in the church for theological reasons unless the priest was male.

Some residents expressed frustration at the “misogynist” decision yesterday – on International Women’s Day.

One said: “So Dawn French lived here, she played a vicar, which isn’t good enough for her former home.”

Others recalled a famous scene in the BBC comedy when Frenchwoman Geraldine Granger is introduced as the new vicar and farmer Owen Newitt replies, ‘No, it’s not! She is a woman!’

The Fowey Parish Council of Churches defended its decision, saying that while the Bible clearly states that all are equal, there is “a debate about the role of women in the church”.

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