C of E urged to nurture working-class clergy amid concerns of prejudice

A report found clergy with working-class backgrounds were ‘deeply alienated’ in church culture

The Church of England is being urged to nurture a new generation of working-class clergy and lay leaders amid concerns about an “upper-middle-class culture”.

The C of E’s ruling body, the General Synod, meeting in London over the next four days will hear a call to increase its presence on social housing estates and other economically marginalised communities, and to encourage people from working-class backgrounds to take on leadership roles.