Parliamentary thanks for community work of Torbay priests

The work of two local priests to support the disadvantaged in Torbay was highlighted in Parliament during a session of questions about the work of the Church of England.
In response to a question from Torbay MP Kevin Foster about the potential merits of recruiting additional ordained ministers into parish ministry in the Diocese of Exeter, it was confirmed the Diocese will shortly ordain 18 new ministers, 11 of whom are stipendiary (paid) and seven are self-supporting.
This includes Ordinand Kenny Wickens, who will become curate in the Mission Community of Our Lady and All Saints, Torquay.
In raising the query, Mr Foster highlighted some of the Diocese of Exeter’s most-challenged parishes are in the Torbay deanery, where an ordained minister can not only bring people into Christ’s flock but be a lynchpin for wider community work.
Andrew Selous, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, then went on to praise two local priests: “I would also like to pass on my thanks to two inspirational priests in my Hon. Friend’s constituency, the Reverend Sam Leach from St Mags Church in Torquay and the Reverend Matt Bray from the Bay Church in Paignton, for the work they do in running the Living Room Café, and groups for children and young people across the Torbay constituency.”