Church of England Clergy Demand a Pay Raise

 

Church of England clergy have officially requested for the first time in history an increase in the stipends paid to the clergy amid Britain’s ongoing cost of living crisis.

Following the increase in the cost of living in the United Kingdom, a request for a 9.5% rise in the clergy stipends was made by Unite, the organization that represents more than 200 clergies and lay officers in the church of England. Unite announced Monday that the requested pay raise is to take effect in April 2024.

The Church of England Remuneration and Condition of Service Committee (RACSC), which provides guidance on stipends increase has invited Unite’s Church of England Clergy and Employee Advocates (CEECA), to submit proposals for the first time.

“Clergy have been working tirelessly to support their local communities through the cost-of-living crisis: facilitating and coordinating vital services and activities, providing personal care and guidance to individuals in need, and speaking hope and a sense of togetherness in unstable and uncertain times,” Unite activist and clergy Sam Maginnis said in a statement.

He contends that “All clergy should be paid at a level that secures relief from financial hardship, promotes personal wellbeing, and enables them to effectively serve and support their local communities.

“Maginnis further explained that “the proposed increase is necessary to start bringing pay back in line with inflation while addressing the most urgent hardship and anxiety faced by too many clergy and their families.”

Unite announced that the parishes that take utmost responsibility for paying the clergy are also facing the inflation crises. They noted however that the church’s current fund which is worth £10.3 billion with  average yearly investment growth of 10.2 percent “could readily provide national support to ensure all dioceses can pay their clergy in line with our proposals.”