Before you begin reading, please note that this research is not intended to upset anyone. Its purpose is to provide an understanding of the growth of the Old Catholic Church and its presence in communities across the United Kingdom.
I would like to bring to your attention the current situation in our community. Specifically, I wish to address the reasons behind the numerous closed churches, the acquisition of these buildings by mainstream entities, the refusal to allow Old Catholics to utilize these church buildings, and the growth of the Old Catholic Church.
My initial question is directed to the Church of England: Who granted you the authority to take away the people's church?
My name is Father Mark Paris Haines, and I am an ordained priest within the Old Catholic Church. I chose this path many years ago after facing rejection from a female vicar in the Church of England due to my openness about being gay. It is noteworthy that, at the time, the ordination of female vicars was met with resistance from many male clergy within the church. Given this context, I expected a more understanding response from the vicar. Nonetheless, I believe this experience happened for a reason, leading me to where I am today, allowing me to share my story.
Upon leaving school, I began my career with Philip Ford & Son Funeral Directors in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Concurrently, at the age of 14, I successfully qualified as an F.A. Football Referee in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, and by the age of 18, after transitioning to officiating adult football, I achieved my promotion to a Class 1 referee.
During my tenure with Philip Ford & Son Funeral Directors, I felt a calling to the priesthood and pursued ordination through the Church of England. This occurred during the period when female vicars were first being accepted and appointed to parishes across England. As previously stated, I was declined acceptance and effectively informed by Rev. Marilyn Sharland the Vicar of St Barnabas Church in Tuffley Gloucester that I was not welcome within the Church of England because of my sexuality. I am naming the Vicar because I believe it is important to share my experience and explain why I view the Old Catholic Church as the way forward and the future.
This is the reason why...
Major religious denominations typically provide a salary or wage to their clergy. Could this be a reason why priests or vicars are not frequently seen engaging in street ministry, where their presence is critically needed? What motivation would they have to walk the streets from 8 PM to 3 AM to aid the homeless and interact with the community during their most vulnerable times? When did the clergy role transition into a salaried position with all the associated benefits? The estimated salary for a Catholic Priest is £29,000 per year. What incentive do they have? to get out there and be with the people, and get their hands dirty so to speak.
How often have you visited a church only to find it locked, or, in some instances, the door is open but the local priest or vicar is not present? why is it so expensive to get married in these glories buildings that represent our history as a Christian Country?
It is perplexing that even after death, there are costs associated with using facilities to bid farewell to a loved one. While it is understandable that some expenses are necessary, the fees imposed by major religious denominations are excessively high.
As a priest representing my parish in Swindon, we uphold the belief that organizing gatherings in the presence of God, whether to unite individuals or to honor the passing of a loved one, should be provided as a complimentary service, similar to Baptism, Confirmation, or Mass.
Lets take a moment and look the salary of a Priest.
Catholic Priest:
The estimated annual salary for a Catholic Priest is £29,000. For parish priests, accommodation expenses, including all utilities, are covered by the parish. Housekeeping expenses should be managed through a sum deposited into the priest's personal account via standing order for this purpose. It is noteworthy that individuals employed full-time as ministers of a religious denomination are exempt from income tax on certain payments or reimbursements. These exempt amounts are associated with a qualifying property and may include reimbursements for statutory deductions, such as council tax and water charges. Priests typically receive an allowance from the church rather than a fixed salary. This allowance covers accommodation expenses, food, healthcare, and transport maintenance. Additionally, they may earn extra income by conducting additional religious services. (interesting) In Christianity, the transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana or Wedding at Cana is the first miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John. In the biblical account, Jesus and his mother are invited to a marriage, and when the wine runs out, Jesus performs a miracle by turning water into wine. I am curious about the amount Jesus himself might have charged for this. The privileges granted to the clergy include personal inviolability, access to a special court, exemption from certain obligations, and the right to appropriate maintenance. (privilegium canonis, fori, immunitatis, competentiœ). In most denominations, priests are generally provided with a "free house" or a housing allowance by the church, typically associated with the parish they serve. This arrangement exempts them from paying rent for their primary residence. However, the details of this provision can differ based on the religious order and location.
Church of England Vicar:
The projected annual compensation for a Vicar at the Church of England ranges from £26,000 to £29,000, encompassing both base salary and supplementary pay. The average base salary for a Vicar at the Church of England is £27,000 per annum. The typical additional compensation is £0 per year, which may include cash bonuses, stock options, commissions, profit sharing, or tips. While there are some common misconceptions, a vicar's family does typically live in a vicarage, which is provided as well as their 'salary', or a stipend, as it's known. It is said that, by putting the vicar in a house more like his neighbour's, he is brought nearer to the people. But larger houses are more use in practical terms - they can be used for parish meetings, pastoral care and community activities. What's the Church Hall for? or the Church itself? Vicars are also entitled to up to six Sundays off a year, a week of rest following the busy Easter and Christmas periods and four weeks of paid holiday per year Sorry this is laughable!
Old Catholic Priest:
The estimated annual salary for an Old Catholic Priest is Nothing, with no housing provided or additional benefits for performing religious duties. I believe that this says it all. Old Catholic clergy sustain their ministries through secular employment, and in certain instances, possess independent financial means. Some are also engaged in ecumenical ministry, generating income from conducting funerals, weddings, and life-stage services for standard fees. Our clergy maintain a profound connection with those they serve, as they also experience the challenges and circumstances of working life. This connection enhances their pastoral care and keeps them 'connected' to their community. An intriguing aspect of our voluntary status is the absence of disputes over property or finances within our church, a feature that many find refreshingly different. According to our church canons, the church entity is prohibited from receiving or disbursing funds, rendering it incapable of donating to charitable causes or accepting monetary contributions.
Who are the Old Catholics? Old Catholics broke away from the Roman Catholic church because of their questions over the pope actually being Christ. This was before the Church of England was founded (due to Henry VIII's desire for a divorce). We now maintain good standing with all the major religious denominations in England. However, despite our adherence to tradition and commitment to continuing the Lord's work, we are often treated differently to other Christian churches
My aim here is to examine other Christian churches and highlight instances where I think they have failed the people by transforming their Church into a business where the Priest/Vicar is absent during critical times when their presence is most needed or uses their ministry as an income stream with an excessive profit margin.
Join Me!
Let us work diligently to reclaim and reopen our churches, reestablishing them as the central hub of each community. I invite you to join me in this effort as we progress toward reviving the traditions and true significance of a Priest/Vicar within our communities.
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