I have ever lived by the Kipling rule:
Be polite but not friendly to Bishops; be good to all poor parish priests.
Payments to Priests
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
It’s a good rule. The bishop was there for our graduation last Thursday. I had a brief interaction with him, but kept my distance.
The Anglican vicar who performed my mother’s funeral arrived at the nursing home the morning she died and then had a discussion with us at a later date over the characteristics of the service. He smiled at one point and said well, people commonly make a contribution to the parish co-incident with funeral services. We did not mind.
We donated at our marriage and children’s Baptism. I don’t think the Priest expects it (well the good ones don’t), but it’s good to do so. Our Parish priest came and blessed our office and my husband felt it was right to give to Father. Oh, and we bought him a cake last weekend at the end of Mass Parish bakery sale. We need to look after our Priest. We forget they sacrifice a lot for us and need to see our appreciation every now and then.
The old church has been turned into a hall. The rental for the hall is $500 plus $250 to the diocese for insurance. There are quite a few Hispanics at the Mission When their daughters turn 15 there is a Quinceanera, a ceremony in church then a big party. The dress is formal. With $750 for rent the parties held elsewhere. After funeral receptions rarely take place in the hall.
Church weddings at our beautiful new church cost about $1200 wherein the diocese gets a cut which is probably for “insurance”.
It is nice to give a stipend to the priest, the altar boys, organist and soloist, especially the priest because the diocese recently cut some of their benefits. At my mother’s funeral the funeral home director wanted the stipends included in their fees. I told her no, that I would write checks and include them with a thank you notes.
I may not have all the details straight, but I seem to recall that years ago the funding of parishes was different. I believe I heard that many were funded with local investments, land rents or agricultural revenues. I heard that at some point because incomes were “unequal” the dioceses demanded that this be ended so that they could “modernize and standardize” payments among the priests “fairly.”
A clear case of give us your independence and we’ll take good care of you.
The problem of putting all the eggs in one basket is it is easier (and more tempting) for the thief to steal. I read an article on Diocese of Buffalo intending to reneg on their retirement payments to priests. I heard from a knowledgeable source that the Archdiocese of NY had it’s priest retirement fund “disappear” and had to reestablish it from scratch.
Don’t donate income producing items to the parish or diocese. Keep it and donate the proceeds. You’ll be a surer steward of the wealth.
I have been employed by a parish for 20 years, worked for 3 different priests. All of them were wasteful idiots. If you would have seen what I have seen, you would understand why I will never give money to the church, my wife gives her time and that’s it.
Had to chuckle at the Kipling rule, but can’t say I apply it. 15 years ago the Parish priest in the neighboring parish was my spiritual director – the next year he was off to Rome for studies. 5 years later he was consecrated bishop – was appointed auxiliary in Auckland & is now Bishop of Christchurch – a good man & a good friend. Then in 2015 we had a new bishop for our Hamilton diocese – another good man whom I got on very well with. Then 2 years ago, my parish priest was consecrated bishop for the Hamilton diocese, as the previous bishop was appointed to Auckland.
But I suppose, as an ordained Deacon, it really does pay to get on with my bishop. A fine conservative young priest (he says the TLM in private) who was the assistant in our parish is off to Rome next month for ‘studies’. At 83 y/o, I wonder if I’ll still be vertical & above the grass when he is no doubt consecrated bishop in a few years. 🙂
Don-
So happy for you that you’re experiencing good leadership. It is a comfort I hope you will enjoy until the end of your days.
We have only 6 dioses in New Zealand, so 6 bishops, plus three emeritus bishops & 2 auxiliary bishops – & 1 cardinal. 3 of those bishops are favorable to the TLM & allow a weekly TLM in their diocese – 2 of which are the SSPX, and 1 is FSSP.
[…] and Punditry:Payment to Priests – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American CatholicHow We Got Here, Food For Thought – […]
In Germany, the state collects the tithes and thereby supports the Catholic Church. Deuteronomy 14:22 tells of the good fortune for tithing, that is giving one tenth of our prosperity. Tithing is good. God can never be outdone in generosity.
Payment to priests if not stipend, donation of behest will result in taxation by the state.
Ask for the usual amount of the stipend. The money all goes to the parish.
Priests ought to be given a living amount in current cost or be able to receive an emergency fund for emergencies.
Clarification:
Of the tithe, 5% goes to the parish and 5% goes to other charities.
“Priests ought to be given a living amount in current cost or be able to receive an emergency fund for emergencies.”
I agree Mary. I saw a Social Media post by a young priest from Queensland who said he gets paid AUD$420a week (which equates to US$270). Not sure if this is different per diocese, country etc…But it’s below the minimum wage in Australia. Mind you his living expenses are looked after. And as a Fr Nathan said “you can’t be in it for the money”….its the same pay for all clergy regardless of what position you hold in the diocese.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHfFrLuupSG/?igsh=N3F2ZWwyNzhqbjV1
Ps. Before you comment- he wasn’t wearing a collar…hmmm…I know. But he’s a Queenslander. So 🤷🏻♀️
Hi Ezabelle. Yes, a Queenslander, home of the banana benders :-). Like Victorians are ‘Mexicans’ (south of the border) At least, that’s how it was when I lived in Oz back in the 1980’s to those in NSW. But to us kiwis, we have the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and West Island – that large partly uinhabited island to our west. – Australia. 😆
“that large partly uinhabited island to our west. – Australia. “
😂😂😂