Churches hit by vicar shortage

Dozens of churches in the Midlands are without vicars due to a national shortage.

Falling numbers of new Church of England recruits means that places of worship in the region are having to go for months without a head clergyman.

Figures obtained by the Express & Star show that five churches in Sandwell and two in Wolverhampton are among those looking for a new vicar. There are 37 vacancies in the Diocese of Lichfield, although 16 of those are due to be filled in the coming weeks and two are "technical vacancies".

That leaves 19 churches in the region actively looking for a new vicar, with three more expecting to be seeking one shortly.

Other areas in the West Midlands affected by the shortage include Lichfield, where three churches are without a vicar. There are four vacancies advertised in Penkridge and Rugeley, while two vacancies going back months in Walsall are expected to be filled within the next few weeks.

In Wednesbury, St Bartholomew Church in Church Hill is among those affected and has been without its own vicar for more than a year since Rev Mark Bridgen left last January.

The vacancy is being re-advertised but St Bart's churchwarden and father-of-two Malcolm Dainty, aged 67, of Wood Green, Wednesbury, warned that it could still be a lengthy wait to find a new vicar.

"It was 18 months last time the post was vacant, and there are even less vicars around now," he said.

Diocese spokesman Gavin Drake said the region was being affected by a national shortage. "There is a recognised shortage of clergy in the Church of England, and this is leading to a difficulty in recruiting priests to certain posts," he said.

"Over the past couple of decades, the age of people coming forward for ordination has been increasing, with the result that newly ordained clergy have less years to serve the church."

He said the absence of a clergyman could have a "significant impact" on a parish but they could also continue to thrive during the vacancy as the Church of England was also supported by voluntary and part-time priests.

"The Diocese of Lichfield is continuing to develop new ways of encouraging clergy to apply for posts here," he added.