The Revd Canon Remi Omole is moving on from his role as Diocesan Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enabler after five years.
In that time he has supported clergy and lay leaders in making our churches more welcoming environments for all people regardless of their status or background, co-ordinating the team of Bishop’s Advisors who offer training and support.
During Remi’s five-year tenure he has reinforced the need for such dedicated work in the longer term. The diocese will build on his legacy with the creation of a new role for a Racial and Social Justice Enabler, which is now being advertised.
“It has been a real privilege to serve the diocese in this way,” said Remi. “It is about the journey rather than the destination. My five years have passed but this important journey goes on.
“The reality is that in life, people face discrimination, whether that relates to gender, sexuality, race or something else. As a diocese we are clear that we have looked at these issues from a broad perspective.”
“There’s a lot more awareness now,” explained Remi. “We have stimulated conversation both within our churches and across the diocese as a whole. This has enabled people to be more proactive when it comes to dealing with difficult issues.
“Equality and diversity are top priorities. We are confronting issues such as discrimination head-on. Our churches are welcoming places, but there will always be difficult circumstances. We have to keep on evolving and improving the provision we have in place to address these.”
During the last five years, the region has seen increasingly open hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers from some groups, including the riots in Sunderland in 2024. Remi played a key role in supporting faith communities during that period.
Remi’s role has also involved supporting people in disability ministry, ministry to the gypsy, traveller and roma communities, women’s advocacy and the LGBTQI+ community through working with the Bishop’s Advisers/Advocates.
“The church is about all humanity,” he explained. “It’s important that we have a voice that speaks for the vulnerable, while holding space for people who are seeking peace and reconciliation.”
He added: “Throughout my time I have been able to update the Bishop’s Leadership Team (BLT) on all of these issues. They have always been supportive of this work and I have no doubt that the creation of a new Racial and Social Justice Enabler will only be the start in terms of building on what we’ve achieved so far, and taking it to the next level.
“I want to thank the BLT for being really graceful in how they have embraced this. It is a challenging subject but an absolute top priority.”
Remi’s ministry in Durham Diocese will continue. He also serves as Lead Chaplain at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and he is a Non-Residentiary Canon of Durham Cathedral. He will continue to offer support to the new Racial and Social Justice Enabler during the transitional period.
Born in London, Remi was brought up in Nigeria where he taught English and Religious Education in a secondary school, before returning to the UK in 1992. He was ordained as a priest in Durham Diocese in 2007 and has always maintained a passion for working with people and their wellbeing.
The Right Reverend Sarah Clark, Acting Bishop of Durham, said: “As a Diocese we are absolutely committed to the flourishing of all. There is no room for racism or inequality and Remi has worked tirelessly with clergy across our parishes and our Bishop’s Leadership Team to enable diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
“I am personally grateful to Remi for his wisdom, commitment and challenge and thank him for making such a difference. We wish him well for the future. We will be building on his legacy with the creation of the new role he has been instrumental in shaping. ”
Among the achievements of Remi’s tenure is the development of online resources which are available from the diocesan website here.
You can view the vacancy here.