The Secret Church
Pope John XXIII asked that the Church should open a window so that church members could look out and those who were not could look in -
But
so much for transparency - I wrote to the Church Times this week trying to start a debate concerning the Church of England's attempt to require it's retired clergy to remit 33% of any casual fees earned for funerals etc., to the diocese where the retired cleric lives.
I really expected the letter to be published - of course bearing in mind that it could be interpreted as an attack on the hierarchy - I should not be surprised that it wasn't. So here it is!
From The Reverend Gerald Kirkham.
Imposed without notification, without consultation, without proper authority and without their individual agreement, the attempt to tax fees earned by the retired clergy is a disgrace to the Church of England.
Depending upon the diocese the reported percentage sums involved range from 33% to 48%.
Locally, this means that from the minister's fee for a wedding ie., £96, the church wishes to take £46; from a fee for a funeral in church ie., £45 the figure is £17; and from a fee for a public burial or cremation ie., £84 the figure is £34.
Whatever has become of the ideals of the unmuzzled ox, the equality of the hired hand and the worker being worthy of his hire?
Even Gordon Brown in all his prudence has not imposed such a burden on those living on the lowest incomes in the system.
