Dear Editor,
While I agree with much that Peter Sanlon says regarding the Church of England and the evangelical response, I have to take issue with his claim that clergy receive a remuneration package worth £65,000 p.a.
My sending diocese forced us to sell our house when I was accepted for training, and we lost £12,000 back in 1991. Yes, we now live rent-free, but when I retire (or am forced out of the CofE) we will have no home. Although we save what we can, a gross stipend of £26,000 p.a. doesn’t leave room to build up sufficient capital to buy a house and, renting on a small pension that has already been reduced twice since I’ve been ordained, it will be impossible in the south of England, close to my family.
Parishes may pay their diocese in the region of £65,000 p.a., but much (far too much) of this is spent on (wasted on) denominational costs.
Yours in Christ
