Since its launch in April 1994, Epiphany members have seen some sweeping changes. When we gathered- mostly priests who had left clerical ministry years before- we had little sense of credibility or standing, as a group.

Many of us, and our partners, had never stood in solidarity with others who had shared a similar journey, endured similar slights, suffered through similar soul-searching. In those early days of our association we dreamed of a network that would do a power of good for all resigned priests and their partners, and be a beacon for priests working out their future, or working through a decision to leave.   We dreamed too of changing the dispensation process, of challenging the official church to reform, of helping create a just and inclusive church.

These days we perceive a different style of priesthood. We see young priests leave clerical ranks with openness and honesty, often acknowledged for the splendid work they have done, and honoured for their integrity. As these young men begin a career in the world, they seem to carry little of the baggage that so burdened us, their older brothers in priesthood.

That former world seemed to require of older priests a good measure of shame, and of guilt, and a readiness to "lie low". We were years laying to rest some of these ghosts of our past training and socialisation. Priests who leave now do so in a much more open way; they seem simply to do what it is they need to do, publically and without fear.

We now look on a church- a people church- that has shifted ground enormously on issues of celibacy and freedom to marry. Priests who have left are accepted in most church circles with little fuss or fanfare. That people church would accept married priests by an overwhelming majority.

We look on an official church, though, that persists in the old ways. For some people in that institutional church, it is as though nothing much has changed. They are heard to wonder why former priests express so little shame and guilt for their failed committment to mother church! They wonder too why the rest of the church has lost much of the respect and unquestioning conformity that were once paid to their priestly profession.
  
What of the dreams of Epiphany? ...many of the goals we set ourselves seven years ago have been achieved. We would still argue for a role for Epiphany. The publications seem to have a life of their own, and reach a growing and significant audience. And while some dioceses have made splendid progress in setting up structures and procedures for priests who leave, we know there is a long way to go before those early dreams of reform and justice are met.