The Archdiocese of Southwark has hit the halfway mark in its campaign to raise £4.5 million for retired and sick clergy.
The Clergy Support Campaign, which was started last year, has already raised £2.3 million. In Croydon alone, £330,000 was raised in the pilot campaign.
Jo Driver, campaign co-ordinator, said most of the money raised so far came from parishioners, but a “small part” was from corporate and major gifts.
The campaign was launched in response to a shortfall of £4.5 million because of a peak in retiring priests.
Mrs Driver said: “There is no immediate crisis, but if the diocese did nothing to respond to this financial challenge it might erode central funds which could, in turn, impact on other projects that Southwark may potentially wish to undertake in future years.
“Although not all retired priests need financial support -some having a partial pension from hospital or forces chaplaincy, or means of their own-, many need a little financial support to cope with day-to-day expenses in order to meet all the regular costs of living that any lay person might do.”
The diocese tries to ensure that retired priests receive a total of £12,750 a year. This figure includes their state pension.
In a campaign video, Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark said the shortfall was due to the changes to life expectancy and rising living costs. There are currently 70 retired priests in Southwark but the figure is expected to rise to 93 over the next two years. Archbishop Smith said: “This is not an immediate crisis but we need to act now to prevent one in future.”
The archbishop encouraged parishioners to help the priests who had supported them in their own time of need. He pointed out that priests are usually the ones that Catholics turn to at times of great joy and distress and this was an opportunity to thank clergy for their years of support and service.
The archbishop said: “When a priest falls sick, he needs our help. Having supported the sick on many occasions, he in turn needs help from his family – the Church – at this difficult time.”
The archbishop concluded: “Retirement brings hopes and fears for all of us at a time when we may be feeling anxious about the future.”
The support of the diocese quells the fears of those reaching retirement age, he said.
The retirement age for priests is usually 75 although most continue to serve their parish after this age.
Fr David Standley, a retired priest in Southwark, said that retirement had enabled him to explore a new kind of ministry. He said he was now able to “sit alongside people rather than stand in front of them”.
Meanwhile, Canon Frank O’Sullivan, who is 95, was able to develop marriage preparation courses in the south-west of Southwark.
Canon O’Sullivan expressed his gratitude to the diocese for their support in his retirement.
He said: “I have been looked after extremely well. The diocese has provided a nice cottage which is quite comfortable and well heated. The diocese helps with repairs.”
Labour MP Keith Vaz was struggling to save his career this week after a sex scandal.
The Sunday Mirror alleged that Mr Vaz, a Catholic of Goan origin and MP for Leicester East, had paid for the services of male prostitutes.
Mr Vaz said: “I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions in particular to my wife and children.” The MP was once reported to be a distant relative of St Joseph Vaz, a 17th-century missionary.
Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell has announced plans to amalgamate many of his diocese’s parishes.
The diocese covers the old mining towns of Lanarkshire, still one of the most Catholic regions of Scotland.
In a short video that was shown to congregations in all parishes, the bishop explained that the diocese was facing serious challenges, including a shortage of priests, falling congregations and fewer opportunities for priests to make house and pastoral visits. He had no choice, he said, but to embrace radical change.
Among the measures will be the combining of existing parishes to form new ones. The bishop said new parishes would be given a new name and new parish priests while maintaining the dedication of the present churches.
“Whilst I understand that change can be challenging for all of us, new structures and ideas can be invigorating and create opportunities for growth and new life,” Bishop Toal said. “It will be important to set out a timeline in which the planned amalgamations will need to take place. Good cooperation between the faithful of the original parishes coming together as one new parish will be necessary. Wise leadership and support from the priests will be of critical importance for the birth and future growth of the new parish. I ask all of you to come together, to work together and to plan together to create a vibrant, loving and caring parish.
“There is obviously some pain in the proposals I am making,” he added. “I know how loyal and dedicated many of you are to your own parish and are very attached to what you have. It is, however, increasingly difficult to maintain the current position. I think now is the time to move ahead.”
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