Black vicar accuses Church of racist vendetta against her

THE first black woman to become a deacon in the Church of England has accused the institution of racism following a decision to dismantle her parish.

The Rev Yvonne Clarke, 62, became a deacon in March 1987, She was also one of the first females to be ordained a priest in 1994. Under plans to ease financial pressures, her All Saints Shirley parish in the Southwark Diocese in south London would disappear.

Her complaint came as she alleged that the Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Christopher Chessun, and other senior clergy had waged a “personal vendetta against her, the main grounds for which appear to be her race and gender”, it was reported in the Sunday Times. The bishop declined to comment but in a letter to the Church Commissioners referred to allegations of discrimination as “unfounded”.

In 2016, Bishop Chessun, concerned the church might be bankrupt, ordered a “visitation” as it was struggling to pay utility bills and Church of England contributions. It led to the priest being locked out of her church for six months, undermined by false rumours of financial misconduct. Her case is set to be heard at a hearing on April 28. If she loses, she will have to step down after 23 years as vicar in her parish.

A spokesman for the Church Commissioners for England said: “The case is currently working its way through the established consultation and decisionmaking process and the relevant people will be notified as the process continues.”