Pfarrerin

Pfarrerin is the feminine form of Pfarrer, the title given to ordained ministers in German-speaking Protestant churches. It is used to refer to a woman who serves as a parish pastor or priest, typically within Lutheran, Reformed, or United churches in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. The term corresponds to the male Pfarrer and to the English “pastor.”

Responsibilities of a Pfarrerin include leading worship services, preaching, and administering the sacraments (such as baptism and communion). They provide pastoral care, visit the sick, counsel individuals and families, and officiate at weddings and funerals. Pfarrerinnen may also oversee religious education and youth work, supervise parish staff, and represent the congregation in church councils or synods.

Training and ordination require extensive theological education, usually at a university or theological seminary, followed by practical training in a church setting and ordination by church authorities. The path may include a probationary period and further qualifications. In most churches, Pfarrerin have the same ecclesiastical authority and duties as their male counterparts.

Context and usage: In Germany, Austria, and German-speaking areas of Switzerland, Pfarrerin is the standard gendered title for an ordained Protestant minister. The broader trend toward gender equality in church leadership has increased the number of women serving as Pfarrerin. The term is typically used in Protestant contexts; Catholic and some other denominations use different titles for their clergy.