BISHOP’S REGULATIONS
FOR THE PAYMENT OF PAROCHIAL AND CASUAL DUTY FEES
TO RETIRED CLERGY, NON STIPENDIARY MINISTERS
AND READERS
Introduction
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Our first and most important concern in relation to fees is that proper care is given to all who come into contact with the church, particularly in time of bereavement.
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Secondly, it is right that we should recognise the service offered by retired clergy and ensure that they receive an appropriate payment.
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Thirdly, we should remember that fees payable on account of occasional offices (i.e. baptisms, weddings and funerals ) form an important part of the diocese’s stipends fund. They now also form part of the Diocese’s contribution to clergy pensions. Without the funds accruing from fees there would be a greater burden on parishes through quota.
There has been much concern throughout the Church of England at the lack of a common approach to these matters, which has contributed to a widespread misunderstanding of the principles involved.
Following research by questionnaire throughout the dioceses the Archbishops’ Council has now sent to each diocese " Guidelines for the Payment of Parochial and Casual Duty Fees to Retired Clergy, Non Stipendiary Ministers and Readers."
After consultation with neighbouring dioceses, retired clergy and those responsible for non stipendiary and reader ministry in this diocese these "BISHOP’S REGULATIONS" are now issued to all clergy and Readers who hold the Bishop’s licence or permission to officiate. Funeral Directors and those responsible for the management of crematoria will receive copies of these Regulations to keep them informed of this development in our practice.
General Considerations
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The Regulations seek to strengthen the role of the incumbent or priest-in-charge, as the one to whom the Bishop entrusts the care of souls in the parish.
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The valuable ministry of retired clergy is recognised, and a distinction is drawn between them and Non Stipendiary Ministers and Readers, who offer their services on a voluntary basis.
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Non Stipendiary Ministers and Readers do not receive fees, but should be fully reimbursed for travelling expenses.
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All who undertake casual duty and occasional offices are to have travelling expenses reimbursed at the standard diocesan rate for clergy. ( In 2000 40p per mile)
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The commissioner of the service should pay travel expenses and any other expenses incurred in addition to the fee.
CASUAL DUTY FEES FOR RETIRED STIPENDIARY CLERGY.
The guidelines of the Archbishops’ Council recommend that these be linked to the fee paid to an incumbent for a funeral. This statutory fee is reviewed annually, and such a linking will remove the need for a separate calculation.
The casual duty fee for retired stipendiary clergy will therefore be one half of the incumbent’s fee for a funeral service in church.
Retired stipendiary clergy should not be paid for casual duty in the parish where they live, or where they normally worship and minister, except when the incumbent cannot officiate for reasons of illness, annual leave or diocesan business or during a vacancy in the benefice.
PAROCHIAL FEES FOR WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS
A fee equal to two thirds of the incumbent’s fee should be paid to retired stipendiary clergy, the remaining one third to be paid to the incumbent or Diocesan Board of Finance in a vacancy.
In the case of funerals it is the Bishop’s expectation that proper pastoral care of bereaved take place and it is the incumbent’s responsibility to ensure that this care is carried out.
Fees should not otherwise be re-directed by the incumbent, e.g to a non-stipendiary minister who has officiated.
Fees should only be waived at the discretion of the incumbent in very special circumstances, normally only in the case of the death of a child. On other occasions the Archdeacon should be consulted.
HOUSE FOR DUTY
The provision of pastoral care by means of House for Duty appointments is likely to grow. This is effectively a stipendiary ministry since the provision of free housing is of considerable value and, in employment terms, this is payment in return for service.
When the holder of the post is priest-in-charge all matters relating to fees should be treated in the same manner as stipendiary appointments, except that as the payment takes the form of free housing rather than a stipend, the fees should in all cases be assigned to the Diocesan Board of Finance.
However, when the holder of a house for duty post is an assistant priest, the fees should be passed to the incumbent or priest-in-charge.
Notes:
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The Parochial Fee income from weddings and funerals is part of the incumbent’s stipend. The payment of two-thirds of wedding and funeral fees to retired stipendiary clergy is a deliberate departure from this principle in recognition of the important ministry of those who are supported by pension alone.
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When fees are ‘assigned’ to the diocese, they become legally due to the diocese.
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Retired clergy are asked send to the Diocesan Office at the end of each quarter the one-third of the fee for funerals & weddings that is due to the Board of Finance, using the forms enclosed with these Regulations. Further copies of this form can be obtained from the Diocesan Office, or photocopies made.
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Precise records should be kept in each parish of fees received and, if they are assigned, of their regular dispatch to the Diocesan Office.
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The Diocesan Office makes periodic cross checks with PCC treasurers on the total fees received in a particular period. This must agree with the figure in the incumbent’s annual declaration of income and expenditure (PSA/PUN pink form). The Inland Revenue is also able to make spot checks on fees received and the records kept of them.
February 2000
