Members of the Church of England’s ruling synod have defeated an attempt by the Church to take control of vicarages.
It was proposed to move the freehold of vicarages or parsonages from the resident vicar to diocesan control.
Opponents, who put the total value of the properties at £4bn, argue that clerical homes have been under local control for nearly 1,000 years.
The proposals were part of legislation debated at the general synod.
They were part of the process of moving more clergy from open-ended appointments in parishes to contracts similar to those of other working people.
But opponents said those contracts could be brought in without centralising control of property.
Interesting – Synod aren’t having it! There appears to be some considerable bolshiness that was reflected in the correspondence from dismayed clergy prior to Synod – and it looks as if the parishes just don’t trust the dioceses with their property.
Well, well, well – who would have though it.
[blockquote]They were part of the process of moving more clergy from open-ended appointments in parishes to contracts similar to those of other working people.[/blockquote]
Interesting. Out west we’re seeing Rector and Vicarships disappear, replaced by the new and not-so-improved “Priest-in-Charge”, a limited contract appointment with few vested rights and at the Bishop’s pleasure (Oh, the congregation has a say, but everyone knows who is really “in-Charge”). This was discussed more thoroughly in a recent post about Minnesota, but it is interesting to see a similar trend may be emerging in the CoE.
Don’t these guys know about The Dissolution?? Proclaim the houses to be “Houses” and be done with it; one of the bright periods of Anglican history, wasn’t it? Ask the Abbott of Glastonbury….
Maybe they could’ve had a trade off, like fixed terms for bishops? Naah…
Diocese should take note that the larger they grow and the more power they take- the more out of touch with parishes they seem to become. I serve in a good diocese- but even here it is nigh on impossible for my people to understand where the taxes sent to central office goes. Quite honestly diocesan advisor on ecumenical matters or womens ministry or animals in church or mulitfaith issues- seems pure excesss when the roof is leaking and the priest is horribly over worked.
This is a sign also perhaps that more strife has been caused in the church from issues in ‘high office’ and ‘church politics’ than from parishes on the ground.
I end by urging people to consider the situation in my previous very liberal Diocese of Chelmsford UK. It is identical in boundary and size to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood. But where the Roman Cathedral is run by 2 priests ad no adivsors – the Chelmsford Cathedral is run by hoardes of clergy and advisaors at huge cost.
And I know which the happier Diocese is at this present moment in time. And most importantly which preaches the faith most effectively.
And a final point of interest for me is how the church of England models itself on business the weaker it gorws…rather than on the pattern of a church. There is a distinct sense that this motion stinks of lack of trust and wish for power- which is simply not a biblical principle.
I do however think we need a system that allows for removal of lazy/washed up clergy. But this is not the way to do it!
Having been back in England for nearly six months after 31 years in the USA lots of things have struck me. One is that there seems to be an irrational passion for centralization in this country which goes way beyond wisdom, and this is an example of that. As well as reducing clergy security and tenure it reflects a distrust of the grassroots.