SYNOD ADJUSTS PAROCHIAL QUOTAS

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31497, 11 October 1967, Page 16

SYNOD ADJUSTS PAROCHIAL QUOTAS

The financial regulations of the Diocese of Christchurch were amended to adjust parochial quotas, at the annual meeting of the diocesan synod in Christchurch yesterday. All discussions on the bill’s particulars was held in committee. Discussion on the general principle of the bill was held in open meetings. “Your standing committee has made every effort to keep expenditure down this year but there is still an increase,” said Mr J. A. Sanderson, when moving the bill. This was because the increased number of married men entering the ministry, so lifting ordination expenses, the requirements of hospital chapels; and the requirements of struggling parishes. “Money is given from the general grants fund to struggling parishes such as Bishopdale, Aranui, Hornby, Riccarton and North Brighton, and these arp not all. There are only seven or eight parishes giving substantial assistance.

“The problem is, do we carry on our work with its ever-increasing complexity, or do we shrug our shoulders

and say we can’t do it any more,” said Mr Sanderson.

Mr L. H. Coursey (St Martin’s) said he. was amazed to learn that some parishes were to have their quotas cut. There was no point telling parishes to get the money themselves—they were doing that.

“This is a matter of priorities,” said Mr Sanderson. “I wonder if you realise the changes that have taken place in parishes. Quotas on a family basis, as has been suggested, would be inequitable as families had differing incomes.

“I wonder if everything has, in fact, been done in the parishes. I would challenge any suggestion that it has.” He said the existing quotas had been almost unchanged since 1959. The upward trend of expenditure and changing parish conditions necessitated a change.