Clergy defer rise in pay

Press, 5 November 1984, Page 1

Clergy defer rise in pay

Anglican clergy in Christchurch will not get any increase in stipends until the wider community receives a general wage order or the wage freeze is lifted, the Synod decided on Saturday. The average stipend for the clergy is about 516,700 a year, a few hundred dollars above the Labour Department’s average annual wage for males. In his proposal to defer any increase in stipends, the Rev. David Boyd said that big parishes were “feeling the pinch”. In spite of careful budgeting, Mr Boyd said, he spent more than he earned each month.

“I don’t know how many clergy keep their heads above water without a private income," he said, “but

how could I accept a pay rise when my parishioners can’t get one? Do we wish to be seen as not identifying with those around us?”

Opposing deferment, the Rev. Fraser Flanagan said that he did not want to appear greedy but the clergy were further behind in stipends than was generally understood. “We are not big spenders but more, and more we notice the bite as we attempt to balance the books,” he said. A division on the voting was called for and deferment was carried by 28 clergy voting in favour to nine against, and 50 laity in favour to 20 opposed, with the Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt Rev. Maurice Goodall, voting for deferment.