A CALLINGTON man has been selected to train for the ordained ministry in the Church of England. Dom Whitting, an honours theology student at Canterbury Christ Church University, was selected following a three-day conference in Ely, Cambridgeshire, during the summer. 'The church has always been part of my life and I have been attending services for as long as I can remember,' said Dom. As one of only 16 candidates from Kent, Dom's suitability was tested by successfully completing interviews, leading a group discussion and accomplishing a dilemma and response task. Once he has completed his degree, Dom, 21, will begin his three-year training next September at a theological college of his choice where, together with academic training, he will undertake practical placements in churches. Dom, currently a chapel sacristan at the university chapel, already has plans for when he has completed his training. 'Once I have finished my training I aim to become a parish priest and have my own parish,' he said. The university's dean of chapel, the Rev Dr Jeremy Law, said: 'This is exciting news for the university and the chapel community. 'Since I became dean of chapel in 2003, Dom is the first chapel member to be selected for ministry. 'It is unusual to be selected at such a young age and he clearly shows exceptional promise.'