THE dignity of retired clergy demands a “transformed mindset” among the Church’s leaders, the Retired Clergy Association has told the Clergy Retirement Dignity and Fairness Review (News, 1 May).

“An increase in pensions or the lump sum will not compensate for disparaging our members, nor is it likely to be achieved without a transformed mindset that accords them a dignified value,” the eight-page submission stated.

While drawing attention to the financial precariousness of some retired clergy — some of whom spend more than two-thirds or more of their income on church retirement housing — it raised concerns about wider attitudes to its members.

“Good practice means delivering the kind of basic pastoral care they have long exercised,” it said. “It includes inviting them to diocesan events, being generous with fees and expenses, providing opportunities for them to reflect on their continuing ministry and to exercise it . . . [sending] Christmas cards, and a friendly message when they fall ill or their spouse or family member dies.”

Many dioceses depended on retired clergy to cover weekly services, it said. Yet “very few” had an adequate budget for their retired clergy officers.

It called for “substantial” reparation for those clergy “coerced into selling their homes as a condition for entering training for ordination”, estimated to number in the low hundreds.

The deadline for submissions to the review is 11.59 p.m. on Sunday, 31 May.

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