New minister takes place of sacked vicar

A new vicar has been appointed at a West Bromwich church where the previous incumbent was sacked for having an affair with a parishioner.

Reverend Kennedy Njenga is the new vicar at the Good Shepherd with St John in West Bromwich. He will also serve as chaplain to Sandwell College.

Dr Patrick Okechi was sacked from the Bromford Lane church after having an affair with a parishioner.

He was removed from office last December following an employment tribunal and was banned from serving as a priest for 10 years.

Dr Okechi was found guilty of "conduct unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders".

Rev Njenga, aged 42, was born in Kenya and has lived in the UK for the past 19 years. His previous post saw him at The Beacon Church in Pheasey, Walsall.

He said today: "I am thrilled after receiving the good news that I have been appointed vicar to the Good Shepherd with St John and chaplain to Sandwell College in West Bromwich.

"The parish is situated in a place that is multicultural and multi-faith and this will give me the opportunity to serve in a community which is diverse in many ways."

The parish been without a full-time priest since August 2006 when Dr Okechi was suspended from duty.

Rev Njenga will take up the post next spring.