Arthur E. Woolley (July 27, 1931 – May 29, 2021) was an Episcopal priest noted for urban activism, racially integrated parishes, and conservative declarations, especially against the ordination of women.
[2] In Jamaica, Queens, he led St. Alban's, a parish of predominantly black congregants and made efforts against "block busting" by local realtors taking advantage of racial fears to force home sales.
[12] But it was as co-founder of Operation Junction that he made the most noise as the organization tried to address problems of the youthful tourist population, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexually transmitted disease.
[2] He returned to the east coast in 1986 to become rector of St. Luke's, Bladensburg, MD where he made a splash rejecting the visit of the female suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., Jane Dixon.
Woolley wrote to her: "As long as I am rector of St. Luke's, Bladensburg, no woman bishop or priest will be permitted to minister in this cure," a congregation which was described as "very diverse, drawing members from the Caribbean, India and Africa, where they worshiped in the conservative Anglican tradition.
Don't be arrogant or mean-spirited..."[19] Bishop Dixon nonetheless made her official visit bringing 45 supporters with her, joined by nine of St. Luke's parishioners, while Woolley absented himself.