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C of E seeks to increase number of black and minority ethnic clergy Church of England seeks more black and minority ethnic clergy
(35 minutes later)
The Church of England has appointed a senior figure to drive up the proportion of black and ethnic minority clergy against a backdrop of data showing the church is failing to match national demographics.The Church of England has appointed a senior figure to drive up the proportion of black and ethnic minority clergy against a backdrop of data showing the church is failing to match national demographics.
The proportion of black and minority ethnic (BAME) people embarking on the process of becoming a priest fell to 1.9% last year, compared with a share of the general population of about 15%. The proportion of black and minority ethnic (BAME) people among those embarking on the process of becoming a priest fell to 1.9% last year, compared with a share of the general population of about 15%.
In the previous four years, the proportion of BAME new ordinands fluctuated between 4% and 5%, according to analysis released by the C of E on Tuesday. The reasons for last year’s drop is not known, but the overall trend since 1988, when the proportion was 0.3%, is upward.In the previous four years, the proportion of BAME new ordinands fluctuated between 4% and 5%, according to analysis released by the C of E on Tuesday. The reasons for last year’s drop is not known, but the overall trend since 1988, when the proportion was 0.3%, is upward.
The proportion of existing clergy who were BAME was 3.4% in 2015, up from 3% since 2010. There is one black bishop – John Sentamu, the archbishop of York – and only a handful in senior positions. The proportion of existing clergy who were BAME was 3.4% in 2015, up from 3% since 2010. There is one black bishop – John Sentamu, the archbishop of York – and only a handful of black people in senior positions.
The C of E’s new national minority ethnic officer will help dioceses to increase the number of BAME candidates for ordination. The person’s identity has not been disclosed. The C of E’s new national minority ethnic officer will help dioceses to increase the number of BAME candidates for ordination. The officer’s identity has not been disclosed.
“There are multiple and complex reasons why the number of BAME clergy is low,” said a C of E spokesperson. “The proportion coming into ordained ministry has increased over the years but is still well below the proportion of people of BAME heritage in the population.“There are multiple and complex reasons why the number of BAME clergy is low,” said a C of E spokesperson. “The proportion coming into ordained ministry has increased over the years but is still well below the proportion of people of BAME heritage in the population.
“We have recently appointed a national minority ethnic officer for vocations work, a full-time and permanent role. They will be working with colleagues and dioceses to develop our understanding of the underlying causes and to work to increase the proportion of BAME candidates.”“We have recently appointed a national minority ethnic officer for vocations work, a full-time and permanent role. They will be working with colleagues and dioceses to develop our understanding of the underlying causes and to work to increase the proportion of BAME candidates.”
The C of E has set a goal of increasing the number of people being ordained by 50% by 2020 to offset the proportion of clergy approaching, or beyond, retirement age. Currently, about 500 people are recommended for ordination each year.The C of E has set a goal of increasing the number of people being ordained by 50% by 2020 to offset the proportion of clergy approaching, or beyond, retirement age. Currently, about 500 people are recommended for ordination each year.
As well as increasing the number of BAME ordinands, the church also wants to attract more women and younger people. Some in the C of E are worried about its image of “male, pale and stale”, especially when it is promoting “mission churches” in inner-city areas.As well as increasing the number of BAME ordinands, the church also wants to attract more women and younger people. Some in the C of E are worried about its image of “male, pale and stale”, especially when it is promoting “mission churches” in inner-city areas.
One in four of its ministers is over the age of 60, and only 13% under the age of 40. Women clergy make up 27% of the total but hold fewer than one in five senior positions. One in four of its ministers is over the age of 60, and only 13% under the age of 40. Female clergy make up 27% of the total but hold fewer than one in five senior positions.
Similar numbers of men and women are being recommended for ordination, but the age profile for women is significantly older than men and they tend to retire earlier. The church wants more younger women to join the clergy.Similar numbers of men and women are being recommended for ordination, but the age profile for women is significantly older than men and they tend to retire earlier. The church wants more younger women to join the clergy.
David Isioru, a vicar in Handsworth, who recently presented a paper on black clergy to a British Sociological Association conference, said: “The under-representation of BAME [people] in the Church of England rests upon institutional racism.”David Isioru, a vicar in Handsworth, who recently presented a paper on black clergy to a British Sociological Association conference, said: “The under-representation of BAME [people] in the Church of England rests upon institutional racism.”
However, he added, the church “recognises that BAME clergy are marginalised within the C of E, concentrated within inner-city parishes and prevented from career progression”.However, he added, the church “recognises that BAME clergy are marginalised within the C of E, concentrated within inner-city parishes and prevented from career progression”.