Archbishop Clarke, 70, (pictured above with the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin) has been a bishop in the Church of Ireland (part of the Anglican communion) for 23 years, after studying history and political science and gaining a PhD in church history.

He was elected as the ecclesiastical head of the Church of Ireland – Archbishop of Armagh in Northern Ireland – in October 2012.

He told the diocese: “When I became Archbishop of Armagh at the close of 2012, I made a quiet agreement with my family, a few close friends and myself that I would try to work on as Primate for five years, assuming of course that ill-health or mortality itself did not intervene.”

“Coming towards the end of that five-year period, I would then review the situation with my family and, if all seemed to be working out reasonably well and I felt that I was still up for it, I would continue on for a further two years, but would not go on beyond that point. This latter moment in time has now arrived.”

The Archbishop has two children and three grandchildren and his wife Linda died in 2009.

He added: “This time in Armagh has truly been a very agreeable experience for me, and for this I humbly thank God for the great privilege I was given in being appointed as Primate seven years ago and I also thank all of you, for your constant encouragement, your friendship, your prayers, your support…

The charity, which says it exists to reach the world of sport for Jesus, won the Best Christian Organisation Website and Best New or Redesigned Website at the ceremony at the Brewery in London.

The awards honour churches and individuals from across the UK who excel in the online world.

Kings Church in Lancashire picked up Most Engaging Large Church Website while Christ Church Balham was rewarded for Most Engaging Small Church Website.

Other winners included Katie Kyle, who was named blogger of the year and Nia-Cerise Conteh who won Influencer of the Year.

Explaining the importance of the event, Premier’s COO Kevin Bennett said: “The church has a pressing need to engage in a credible and effective way online.

“These awards rightly celebrate the churches, organisations and individuals who have stepped up to that challenge. My prayer is that others will be inspired by their work to take up the mantel themselves and build Gods kingdom in the digital world.”

For a full list of the winners, click here.

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The main award went to a refurbishment at St Augustine’s Roman Catholic church, an unlisted Edwardian church in Hammersmith in London. 

Roz Barr Architects restored the unlisted Edwardian church. 

The Duke of Gloucester and Vice President of the National Churches Trust, who trained as an architect, presented the award, together with a £500 cheque to the winners.

Luke March, Chairman of the National Churches Trust said: “This project has liberated a cluttered interior and brings new life and movement into the building. Of particular note is the collaboration between art and architecture with  new sacred spaces including a new altar, confessionals, lecterns, candle stands and a daringly contemporary tabernacle.”

Bethnal Green Mission Church designed by architects Gatti Routh Rhodes was highly commended. The new church is in the middle of a new urban block and includes a community centre, café and 14 flats.

There was also an award for repair and conservation architecture, which was awarded to PPIY architects for their work on St Margaret’s church, Thimbleby, Lincolnshire.

The Victorian spire had been deteriorating so much that the church was threatened with closure and spire had been removed in 2013 but then…

Restored is made up of an alliance of churches who work with Christians to end violence against women in the UK. 

In July, the charity wrote to the new Prime Minister asking that: “priority is given to the Domestic Abuse Bill and parliamentary time is scheduled for debate. We would also ask for the inclusion of faith groups in the response to the bill as the consultation response is mostly faith blind.

“With a church or place of faith in nearly every community across the UK, who can shape attitudes and behaviours, we would urge you to see that faith is included in the response to domestic abuse and can be part of the solution for victims and survivors.”

In response, the charity has received a letter from Jonathan Hellewell, the Special Adviser for Civil Society at No. 10 Downing Street. 

He wrote: “The Prime Minister shares your concern about domestic abuse and is a strong supporter of the Domestic Abuse Bill” and that the government would like to see more support for women who struggle to tell people about their abuse. 

Mr Hellewell added thanks to: “everyone in the Restored charity, for everything you do to support the victims of domestic abuse. Recovering from such crimes often takes a community-wide effort and the Government welcomes your help in this area.”

Mandy Marshall, co-director at Restored, told…

Before going into the Church, Rosemarie Mallet obtained a PhD in sociology and worked as a senior researcher, honorary lecturer and in the area of BAME Mental Health.

She was ordained in 2004 and served her curacy at Christ Church, Brixton and later became the vicar at St John, Angell Town in the same diocese. In 2013 she became an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral.

She’s been congratulated by clergy and local figures in the community. 

Rev Mallett has been a member of the General Synod of the Church of England since 2010.

Speaking of her appointment, Rev Mallett said: “I am humbled and excited at taking up this new role and very much look forward to this next stage of my ministry in the Diocese.

“I am looking forward to getting to know Croydon and better understand the context of ministry in a mix of peri-urban and town centre parishes. I hope to be able to fully utilise my experiences of parish ministry and senior leadership to support our parishes and people and work to further the Diocesan vision of generosity, inclusion and mutual commitment as we journey and grow together in the love of Christ.”

The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, said: “Rosemarie’s work and commitment to the community in Angell Town has been transformational, particularly as a role model to young BAME people in Brixton…her work on community cohesion and…

Paula White-Cain was the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando and is also an author and TV evangelist; she is now married to Jonathan Cain from the soft rock band Journey.

The prosperity gospel teaches that giving money to church may lead to greater health, blessings or wealth returned.

She has suggested people donate January’s salary to her ministries, saying: “When you honour this principle, it provides the foundation and structure for God’s blessings and promises in your life. It unlocks deep dimensions of spiritual truths that literally transform your life. When you apply this, everything comes in divine alignment for his plan and promises for you. When you don’t honor it, whether through ignorance or direct disobedience, there are consequences.”

Her appointment comes just after Trump disappointed many Christians by withdrawing troops from Syria, where America was supporting the Kurds.

She has been appointed to the Office of National Liason within the White House, which is responsible for communicating and engaging interest groups with the President’s administration.

She will advise the administration’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative, which the President established last year. It aims to give religious groups more of a voice in issues such as religious liberty and poverty.

White spoke at President Trump’s inauguration day in 2017 and…

Rev Hudson-Wilkin has been in the role for nine years, conducting daily prayers in the House of Commons and having a pastoral duty to MPs.

In the House of Commons on Thursday, MPs Dominic Grieve and Martin Vickers thanked her for visiting their parishes while Bob Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) thanked the chaplain for her personal care of his family, saying: “Rose married Anne-Louise, my wife, and I about 18 months ago. She did that with great charm, great style and joyfulness, and great Christianity.

“She showed great care and sensitivity to us in preparing us for that wedding, and also to our families, and, in particular, Anne-Louise’s two children, who had lost their own father tragically. The care that she showed has always stuck with us. Since then, particularly in the past few months, when Anne-Louise, sadly, has been unwell, Rose’s continuing support and prayers, and the kindness that she has shown to our family, mean more to us than words that I can say in this Chamber could ever adequately convey.”

Neill added: “For those of us who do have a Christian faith, she could not be a better pastor and shepherd.”

Jim Shannon, the DUP MP for Strangford, told the House: “Parliament has seen frustration and tempers rising to unheard levels in this place, with repeated calls for calmness and compassion. Reverend Rose has had a gentle spirit and calming…