We welcome the Church of England’s intention to increase the basic stipend for parish clergy by 10.7%, as part of the latest announcements from the Triennium Funding Group, chaired by the Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE.
Earlier this year, the Church announced a £2m grant to the Trust, to help serving clergy households with their financial, mental and physical health. The grant from the national Church came on the back of the Church’s own research, showing that 42% of clergy were anxious about their finances, and following months of strategic advocacy by the Trust, including with the House of Bishops and Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England.
In recent years, demand for the Trust’s support has dramatically outstripped our operational income. Significant growth has been seen across all the charity’s grants and services, including support with school uniforms, holidays, car repairs, appliances, counselling, and carers’ breaks.
As well as acting to support clergy households, the Trust also seeks to amplify their voices, including in conversations with the national Church, which have contributed to this welcome announcement.
"The Church has woken up to the fact that clergy wellbeing is not a peripheral issue, but central to its mission."
"Without clergy to lead and serve their communities, the Church is weaker in its own ministry. A fair stipend is the very least that our extraordinary priests and deacons deserve."
"It is good, also, to see the Church putting record sums into front-line ministry across England. While prudent stewardship of the Church’s assets is key and has enabled this positive news, there is no point saving for a future which may never come without action here and now."
"It is today’s clergy and parishes who need support, and the Trust will continue seeking to walk alongside the thousands of clergy who reach out to us, as well as advocating for change in the Church’s care of its people."
The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls
Chief Executive, Clergy Support Trust