The Church of England’s new fundraising chief has a history of urging charities to make money from people's "forgetfulness" and by targeting "vulnerable" elderly women, the Telegraph can reveal.

Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, who has been tasked with reviving the financial fortunes of the Church, also described a banker's standing order as “God’s special gift” because donors often forget to cancel them.

The former headteacher has been hired to attract thousands more worshippers to donate to the Church every month through a direct debit Parish Giving Scheme.

Last night a Christian charity said Mr Bernhardt Wood’s language was “worrying”, and said the Church of England must “act with caution” when pursuing parishioners for cash. It comes amid broader concern that elderly and vulnerable people are being unfairly pressured to part with their money for good causes.

Mr de Bernhardt Wood, a well-known and respected fundraiser, was appointed in January as the CofE’s National Advisor for Giving and Income Generation, replacing his predecessor of thirteen years.

It is understood that he has been given a brief to attract more worshippers to the Parish Giving Scheme, which sets up monthly donations through their bank accounts. The Church has already set out plans to sign up more than half of dioceses to the scheme, with donations from around 70,000 donors predicted to reach more than £50 million a year.