A COLLEGE which approaches theology teaching from the point of view of the ethnic minorities is to be set up in September in a bid to attract more black people to the priesthood.
Courses on offer at the Simon of Cyrene Institute, Wandsworth, South London, will be open to both blacks and whites, and are intended to complement studies at mainline theological colleges of all denominations. The Catholic Church is fully involved in the project, with three representatives on its steering committee.
"We hope to provide the environment in which black men and women can understand theology in the light of their experiences as a minority group before entering a seminary," said Rev Rajinder Daniel, Secretary of the ecumenical Association of Black Clergy which is setting up the centre with Church of England funds.
Mr Daniel believes that there is a severe lack of black ministers in all the denominations, and that prospective ministers "find nothing" relevant in theological teaching circles. Those interested in the new centre can contact Mr Daniel at 133 Church Lane, Handsworth Woods, Birmingham B20 2HJ.
• A HOST of information about the hopes and activities of this country's Catholic Caribbean community is provided in the first annual report of the Cardinal's Continuing Committee for the Caribbean Community (C5).
Outlined in the report is C5's intention to help the Caribbean community "to strive within the Catholic Church. . . to retain aspects of their cultures and to be allowed to demonstrate and develop their talents."