New adviser for minority-ethnic concerns

ELIZABETH HENRY has joined the Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs Council as National Adviser for the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns. Ms Henry was previously CEO of Race on the Agenda, a charity that focuses on issues of race equality. The Director of Mission and Public Affairs, the Revd Dr Malcolm Brown, said that Ms Henry would "not only be working on the concerns of the Church's minority-ethnic members, but helping the Church to engage effectively with such issues in society at large".

MP calls for gay-marriage protections

EDWARD LEIGH, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, is to call on the Government next week to amend the Equality Act, in order to protect those who do not agree with plans to introduce same-sex marriage, The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday. Mr Leigh is expected to say in an address that, if the Equality Act is not amended, "it will open the doors to Christians, Muslims, Jews - and anyone else with a conscientious objection - being disciplined, demoted, or even sacked for backing the current definition of marriage."

Canon for Discipleship sought by Liverpool Cathedral

LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL is seeking to recruit a Canon for Discipleship, it was announced on Monday. A statement from Liverpool diocese said that the appointment was "a direct response" to the "Growth Agenda" set out by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd James Jones. "The Canon for Discipleship will focus on the early nurture of members of the cathedral company, helping members to discern their gifts, deepen their discipleship, and develop their sense of vocation," the statement said.

Priest charged with voyeurism offences

THE Revd Richard Lee, joint Priest-in-Charge of St Augustine's, Locking, has been charged with eight voyeurism offences and 18 offences of making indecent images, Avon and Somerset Police announced last week. He is due to appear at North Somerset Magistrates' Court on 11 February. Mr Lee was suspended from active ministry after his arrest in July.

Air Cadets to offer non-religious oath

THE British Humanist Association (BHA) welcomed an announcement by the Air Cadet Organisation this week that it would, for the first time, offer a non-religious oath for recruits. The decision came after a campaign by the BHA and the UK Armed Forces Humanist Association (UKAFHA). The General Secretary of the UKAFHA, David Brittain, said that not providing a non-religious oath had "excluded a significant number of young people of good conscience who do not believe in any god and are not willing to lie by saying words they don't believe".

Bradford FC chaplain irks Villa manager

THE manager of Aston Villa FC, Paul Lambert, complained on Monday that the chaplain of Bradford City FC, the Revd Paul Deo, had been "disrespectful" during the first leg of the League Cup semi-final match between the two sides on 8 January. Mr Deo, who had been the stadium announcer at the match, had told Bradford's supporters to "book hotel rooms for London", after Bradford unexpectedly won the first leg 3-1. Aston Villa won the second-leg match on Tuesday 2-1, meaning that Bradford went through to the final, having won 4-3 on aggregate.

Correction: a picture accompanying a note about a digital exhibition (News, 11 January) was an example of a Moon Bible, not Braille. Our apologies.