From The Guardian-
Hundreds of clergy are in financial hardship, with some resorting to
credit cards or even a high-interest payday lender, despite the Church
of England sitting on a multibillion-pound investment fund.
Some vicars are tens of thousands of pounds in debt, with many
struggling to survive – especially those supporting families – and
relying on charity handouts to make ends meet, the Guardian has learned.
Clergy Support Trust – a centuries-old charity which supports
destitute Anglican vicars, assistant or associate priests,
curates-in-training and chaplains – gave £1.8m worth of grants to 459 clergy last year.
Analysis last year found that 217 individuals who had applied to the
charity for help had personal unsecured debts of £5,000 or more,
totalling nearly £3m. The figures, based on a combination of grant
application data over a 20-month period, do not include mortgages or
student loans. Of the 217, 41% had debts of between £5,000 and £10,000,
44% between £10,000 and £20,000, and 15% over £20,000. Four applicants
had debts in excess of £50,000.
More here-
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/06/clergy-hardship-church-of-england-wealth
Suffragan Bishop of Aston
20 hours ago