Clergy Support Fund Campaign Presentation
A priest will normally retire from full time parish ministry when he reaches 75 years of age. Many continue to work in some form of ministry. When a priest resigns from his parish ministry or a full time ecclesiastical appointment the Diocesan Finance Office establishes his likely income and needs on an individual basis and ensures he has sufficient financial resources to afford the necessities of life, live in properly heated and adequately maintained accommodation and can pay for some recreation and travel.
There are currently 70 retired priests in our Diocese and this number is expected to increase to about 93 by 2018. The costs of supporting them are currently met by the Diocese, partly through an annual contribution from each parish, but the increase in numbers will create more pressure on these costs. A summary of the costs, income and shortfall over five years is given below.
Archbishop Peter Smith has therefore identified the need to continue to support sick and retired priests as a major priority for our Diocese. There will be more important news about the campaign in next week’s newsletter. Watch out for a special day of presentation as directed by Archbishop Peter Smith
Sick and retired diocesan priests – Summary of Income and Costs
Year 2014 2018
Estimated number of retired priests 70 93
Estimated Income 495,000 495,000
Estimated Expenditure 1,297,000 1,477,000
Shortfall 802,000 982,000
Cumulative shortfall over 5 years 4,505,000
