Women's Ministry
Find out more about women in ministry in the Diocese in Europe here.
The Women's Ministry team consists of Rev Canon Debbie Flach (Dean of Women's Ministry) and Rev Annie Bolger (Assistant Dean of Women's Ministry). The video below features an interview with Debbie and Annie discussing their roles. It was filmed in September 2026 directly following Annie's commissioning as the Assistant Dean of Women's Ministry:
Revd Canon Debbie Flach
Debbie has served all her ordained ministry in the Diocese in Europe. She was ordained deacon in 1994 at St Peter’s Chantilly and was priested in 1997 at Holy Trinity, Maisons-Laffitte. She was Chaplain at Christ Church, Lille from 2007 to 2025 and was appointed as a Canon of Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral in Brussels in 2007.
Debbie has served in many representative roles including all levels of Synod since her ordination in 1994. She was involved in the Strategic Review led by our previous Suffragan Bishop David. Debbie's appointment as Dean of Women’s Ministry is the latest among several ‘firsts’ for women in her clergy career. Debbie is an Area Dean in France and has served on Bishop’s Council.
Debbie works with female clergy across the diocese to promote women’s stipendiary ministry, encourage women clergy to apply for posts, and pastoral care. She also focuses on growing the number of women clergy in senior roles in our diocese by actively encouraging women clergy to apply for posts at all levels.
A key part of her role is linking with other organisations committed to seeing women’s ministry flourish. These include:
- The National Association of Diocesan Advisers in Women’s Ministry (NADAWM)
- Transformations – the Church of England Steering Group for women’s ordained ministry
- WATCH (Women and the Church)
- The Junia Network - an evangelical women’s network
Debbie also organises a series of regular events. These include a quarterly zoom meeting which addresses issues of theological, ethical, spiritual and social concern. She also runs online retreat days and holds regular clergy conferences.
Contact
E: deanofwomensministry@europe.anglican.org
M: +33 (0) 6849 85126
Rev Annie Bolger
Annie was ordained priest in the Diocese in Europe in 2021 and served her curacy at the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Brussels. She is Assistant Chaplain in the Chaplaincy in Norway and enjoys serving within the diocesan discernment process and with the Ministry Experience Scheme.
The Revd Annie Bolger works alongside the Revd Canon Debbie Flach, Dean of Women's Ministry.
Annie's current work is focused on understanding and strengthening the experience of ordained women across the Diocese. Through research and consultation, she is helping to build a clearer picture of both the opportunities and challenges women encounter in ordained ministry, ensuring that future support is shaped by their lived experience.
She is also exploring practical ways in which the Women's Ministry team can support ordained women more effectively, including through training, resources, networking opportunities, and pastoral encouragement.
Contact