Thirteen senior clergy this week completed the inaugural Bishop Wilfred Wood Leadership Programme, which aims to position experienced Black, Asian and minority (BAME), for senior roles in the Church of England.

Ven Amatu Onundu Christian-Iwuagwu is the vicar in charge of St Mary the Virgin Church, in the London Borough of Hillingdon and was persuaded by the Bishop of Wilsden to take part in the programme.

He told Premier why he initially questioned the nature of the programme: “The first thing that came to my mind was whether this was a patronising way of the institution trying to say ‘the BAME people are not well equipped for senior leadership so therefore we need to beef them up with something else’.”

However, he said Rt Rev Pete Broadbent told him that the course acknowledges that the Church has “problems within the system and the process in which senior leadership is appointed”.

While the last census showed an increase in the number of people of BAME identifying as Christian, in the Diocese of London currently just 5 per cent of clergy and priests responsible for parishes are from BAME backgrounds.

The proportion is similarly low for senior post-holders across the whole Church of England.

The programme is led by the Diocese of London and this year’s attracted participants from eight Dioceses across the country, and…

This morning, Theresa May made an announcement outside Downing Street, telling the world she would be stepping down as Conservative leader on Friday, June 7.

The head of the Church of England tweeted a series of messages, praising her for showing “determination, resilience and a sense of public duty that has never wavered”.

He said: “That is a service to us all that deserves our admiration and gratitude.”

He also asked people to take a moment to “pause and pray for her and her husband, Philip, whose support has been unwavering, and for all those around them working to ensure a smooth transition into new leadership.”

The Prime Minister talked about her “deep regret” that she had not been able to deliver Brexit.

Mrs May said, however, that she was “right to persevere” with her withdrawal agreement, “even when the odds against success seemed high”.

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn has said whoever does take over should call a general election.

Backing the claim on Premier’s News Hour, Christian Labour MP, Stephen Timms said: “We will press for a general election and I think that would be the right thing.

“I think the country needs to have the chance to say, is this the person who we want to lead the country over the next few years?”

“We need to be frank the premiership has not been a success.

“It’s difficult to work…

Rev Jo Musson, vicar of Sant Georges Church, Worcester and St John Baptist, Claines flew 1,000 feet in the air, attached to the top wing of a 1940’s Boeing Stearman Biplane.

The 59 year old was supported by friends, family and members of her congregation, as she flew at 80mph over RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester last week.

Recalling her experience she said: “It was the most beautiful day, blue sky and not a hint of any breeze or cloud, just plenty of sunshine.

“The sense of achievement was wonderful.”

The money raised from Rev Musson’s ‘Wing Walk’ will go towards the Claines Church 20/20 Vision Project – to provide better facilities for church visitors.

Following inspiration from friend and fellow vicar Rev Maureen Dew and her ongoing battle with Lymphoma, ten per cent of the sponsorship will go towards cancer research charity, Bloodwise.

Quoting Psalm 34, Reverend Musson shared how her faith in God helped her to face her fears.

She added: “Looking back it was as though on the day I was anaesthetised from the fear and anxiety I had expected, and held securely by God.

“It just shows what you can do, what you can overcome in God’s strength.”

The crowdfunded initiative has already reached nearly £7,000 and Rev Musson is hopeful she’ll meet the £10,000 target.

Stay…

Bishop Devine served as Bishop of Motherwell for 30 years and died on Thursday at Wishaw General Hospital, North Lanarkshire, after a period of illness.

In 1960 he was ordained as a priest in Glasgow and became a bishop in 1977 when he was ordained by Thomas Joseph Winning – whose funeral sermon was conducted by Bishop Devine in 2003.

He served there for six years before moving to Motherwell in 1983, where he remained until retiring in 2013 on his 75th birthday, as is expected of bishops.

Bishop Joseph Toal, his successor as Bishop of Motherwell, said: “All in the Diocese of Motherwell feel the sadness of the death of our Bishop Eremitus, Rt Rev Joseph Devine, yesterday evening. We acknowledge and give thanks to God for his faithful and very full ministry as a bishop and priest.

“I heard of the news of his death in Wishaw General Hospital as I was about to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, something which Bishop Devine celebrated hundreds of times, and it is for this that many in the Diocese remember him best.

“Through his years, Bishop Devine served the Catholic Church in Scotland through his full participation and valued contribution to the work of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, particularly in regard to Catholic Education.

“Although he was very ill through the last days of his life, he was still very alert and very much himself. I suspect he would…