Sick and Retired Priests Impact Report

Sick and Retired Priests Fund 10 YEAR IMPACT REPORT

February 2024

ABOUT THE FUND Twelve years ago, our Nottingham Diocese Sick and Retired Priests Fund (SRPF) stood at £1.36 million. With an increasing number of retired priests (as of December 2022, there were 43), the Diocese was faced with the prospect, in just a few years, of being unable to provide for their needs.

The Retired Priests Appeal (RPA) was therefore launched at the start of 2014 and was generously embraced by the Catholic people of the Diocese of Nottingham.

Ten years later, thanks to the big-hearted response of parishioners throughout the Diocese to the Appeal, coupled with other significant monetary gifts and good investment growth, the SRPF now has sufficient assets to provide adequately for our retired priests’ needs for very many years to come.

“The fund now has sufficient assets to provide adequately for our retired priests’ needs for very, many years to come.”

HOW MUCH WAS RAISED? In total, donations of almost £4.2 million were received through the Retired Priests Appeal. Once associated Gift Aid contributions and investment returns are added, this rises to £6.4 million that can be attributed to it. On top of that, other SRPF donations (and associated gift aid), collections, legacies and investment returns have amounted to an additional £4.1 million over the last 12 years.

The total value of SRPF donations and other income received since 2012 is a fantastic £10.5 million to add to its original £1.36 million, making the grand total £11.86 million!

Pre-Existing Funds Donations Legacies and Investments

Gift Aid

Pre-Existing Funds £1.36 million

Legacies and Investments £4.1 million

£11.86 MILLION

Donations £4.2 million

Gift Aid £2.2 million

OF COURSE, DURING THIS PERIOD THERE HAVE BEEN EXPENSES, BUT WHAT HAS BEEN THE

IMPACT OF THE FUND? The majority of the expenditure has been made for the financial support of sick and retired priests, and for their care and accommodation needs, with some examples below. These have totalled £3.5 million.

+ There are currently over 40 retired priests in the Diocese of Nottingham.

Currently 15 properties have been purchased specifically for retired priests. Over the years the diocese has bought other houses which have subsequently been sold, with some becoming standard residential lets.

Fund value in the financial year 23/24

£8mil

Close Care apartments are let to the diocese in locations such as The Mercy Care Centre. Priests maintain independence, and the SRPF covers not only the rent, but the ‘Wellbeing Support Package’ too, providing them assistance and support in emergencies.

Some retired priests are residents of care homes, enjoying a friendly, homely setting with round-the-clock medical assistance.

This can be both permanent or temporary respite care.

If priests cannot manage their household bills, the SRPF, via the Property Department, often pays utilities and council tax as well as rent in many cases.

“We spend quite a lot of time helping our retired / retiring priests, particularly over matters such as repairs, refurbs, buying houses, utility bills, council tax, helping with removals, ensuring they are fit for purpose by organising annual checks.”

Rachael Oxspring & Catherine Scholes Diocesan Property Department

Summary of Financial Outgoings Based on 2022/2023

£13,000 Health Cover

£32,000 “I wish to put on record that Frances Cordes and the Curia Team were most efficient, considerate and kind in arranging the move into the Mercy Care Centre.” - Retired Priest

Clergy Care and Health

Frances Cordes Clergy Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

Maintaining the fund Although the Retired Priests Appeal concluded in 2018, we are very grateful to those parishioners who have chosen to maintain their regular payments to the SRPF, which amounted to almost £30,000 in 2023.

One quarter comes from collections, donations and gift-aid, but by far the biggest contributor to the fund is now income from investments, providing almost three-quarters of its income of £359k in 2023.

£52,000 Property Costs e.g. repairs and maintenance

£321,000 SRPF Grants to priests, enabling them to have a reasonable standard of living in their retirement

“The Mercy Care Centre in Derby, where 8 retired priests live is just one example where priests are helped by the Fund. There are other examples in England and Ireland where your generosity helps our retired priests”

Many of the resident Priests celebrate Sunday Mass together, with lay residents.

The Mercy Care Centre, Derby

The Mercy Care Centre, Derby

BY MONSIGNOR BRAIN DAZELEY Mercy Care Centre is situated in Derby and comprises of three elements...

Kinsale Court, which is a scheme of 18 close care apartments, either one or two bedroom apartments with support given as needed; Mount Carmel Care Home, which is a care home for 20 residents Beaumont House, which is a special part of the care home catering for those suffering with dementia offering 30 beds.

The Diocese of Nottingham uses this wonderful facility by owning and renting flats in this development, as well as supporting the care costs for many resident priests of Mount Carmel Care Home.

This is one person’s perspective... For me, retirement from full-time parish ministry has 3 stages. When I could no longer continue in full-time parish ministry, I moved to St Peter’s, Leicester. I remained there for 7+ years, assisting in St Peter’s, Hinckley every weekend for 5+ years and providing occasional weekday assistance in St Peter’s, Leicester. It was a happy and fruitful time I think.

That was stage one.

The move to Derby took place in May 2023, and it’s an ideal place for stage 2 in the retirement process. I am no longer able to drive long distances or drive at night, but there is an opportunity for independent living with support as and when needed and the opportunity to assist in local parishes when invited. Arrangements can be made to have a hot meal sent over each day from the Care Home, to have one’s laundry done and one’s apartment cleaned. The whole complex is quite excellent. Apartments are very attractive and I feel really at home here knowing that if and when the time comes, I will be able - if there is room - to move into the care home, Mount Carmel. I wish to put on record that Frances Cordes and the Curia Team were most efficient, considerate and kind in arranging our (myself and Father Anthony Franey’s) move here. It is, I think, significant that the consultant, after my recent rather serious operation, on hearing I was considering going into care for a period of recovery, advised me to return home to Kinsale Court. I’m glad he did.

Over and above all that I have said above is the great gift surely from Our Lord Himself through the generous work of the Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, and curial team and the financial help we receive from the Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund, viz being able to live in a house with other priests with whom we have worked in some cases for more than 60 years. To be able to celebrate Mass every morning together, followed by a cup of coffee and a chat and sharing our memories, is a wonderful gift, the culmination of that process which began so many years ago when we laid our hands on the head of the man about to be ordained priest. It’s not that we are or ever have been bosom pals necessarily and probably would not choose to go on holiday together, but we might well go to the stake with or for one another.

Thank you for giving me such a wonderful home in which to end my days on earth and a place where I can prepare to meet the Lord face to face.

“Thank you for giving me such a wonderful home in which to end my days on earth and a place where I can prepare to meet the Lord face to face.”

Monsignor Brian Dazeley

FAQs 1. What can the fund’s money be used for?

The purpose of the Sick & Retired Priests Fund is “to provide relief for needy sick and needy retired persons who are or have been priests of the Diocese”. Legally, it can only be used to support a) diocesan priests, who are b) sick or retired, and who are c) in financial need.

2. How does the Diocese ensure that the fund is being used only to care for our priests?

All money belonging to the fund is held within a Restricted Fund of the Diocesan Trust called ‘The Sick & Retired Priests Fund’. The Trustees’ Clergy Health & Wellbeing and Finance committees oversee management of the fund and its expenditures. Diocesan Trustees are legally required to ensure funds are used only for the stated purpose.

3. Does the fund provide our priests with a pension?

The fund enjoys charitable status. It provides tax-free grants to priests who are in financial need. To retain this status, grants must be discretionary, based on an assessment of need. It is not a pension fund (where people are entitled to receive a pension, which would be taxable).

4. How are priests able to apply for the fund?

Priests preparing for retirement are invited to have a confidential conversation about their financial needs with a brother priest who is a senior member of the diocesan clergy. All priests who are sick or retired are regularly asked how they are managing and if their needs have changed.

When appropriate needs arise, all priests are encouraged to seek help through a trusted brother priest or from the Clergy Health & Wellbeing coordinator.

5. Other than financial assistance, what help and support do our sick and retired priests receive?

Curia teams, especially our small Clergy Health & Wellbeing and Property Teams, work hard to use available funds well. Help and advice is available for healthcare, paying bills, purchasing houses, refurbishment, removals, and for property repairs and annual checks.

If you would like to know anything more about the Sick & Retired Priests Fund, please send your question to office@dioceseofnottingham.uk