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Telegraph calls for increase in Bishop's salaries - news from ekklesia

By staff writers
June 22, 2004

Telegraph calls for increase in Bishop's salaries

-22/6/04

The Daily Telegraph newspaper has called for an increase in the salaries of Church of England Bishops.

Saying that a bishop of the Church of England "should have a touch of magnificence" today's editorial defines the role of a bishop as someone whose job "is to look after his clergy and to guide his flock on the great theological and moral issues of the day."

The opinion piece follows the news that Bishops are being urged to take a pay cut. The General Synod in York is to debate a motion calling for bishops to be paid the same as parish clergy.

The newspaper however has come out against such a move, saying that Bishops should in fact be paid more, and if quality is required the church will have to pay for it.

"There is a very strong case for cutting the number of bishops, which has almost doubled over the past 100 years, while the numbers of church-goers and clergy have fallen. But those who remain should be paid more. In every profession, quality costs money."

"As a local dignitary, he should be looked up to in his diocese. To fulfil all these roles properly, he should not have to worry about where to find the money for the next tin of Whiskas to feed the episcopal cat."

Newly appointed bishops are currently paid £33,930 a year in addition to which they receive a number of perks and allowances.

Telegraph calls for increase in Bishop's salaries

-22/6/04

The Daily Telegraph newspaper has called for an increase in the salaries of Church of England Bishops.

Saying that a bishop of the Church of England "should have a touch of magnificence" today's editorial defines the role of a bishop as someone whose job "is to look after his clergy and to guide his flock on the great theological and moral issues of the day."

The opinion piece follows the news that Bishops are being urged to take a pay cut. The General Synod in York is to debate a motion calling for bishops to be paid the same as parish clergy.

The newspaper however has come out against such a move, saying that Bishops should in fact be paid more, and if quality is required the church will have to pay for it.

"There is a very strong case for cutting the number of bishops, which has almost doubled over the past 100 years, while the numbers of church-goers and clergy have fallen. But those who remain should be paid more. In every profession, quality costs money."

"As a local dignitary, he should be looked up to in his diocese. To fulfil all these roles properly, he should not have to worry about where to find the money for the next tin of Whiskas to feed the episcopal cat."

Newly appointed bishops are currently paid £33,930 a year in addition to which they receive a number of perks and allowances.

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