Fair deal for clergy

In February, the General Synod agreed that draft clergy Terms of Service legislation should be progressed to the next stage of revision. If Synod agrees, this means that by 2010, the new legislation could be in place. But what would it mean for clergy? In Review asked the Rt Revd Richard Frith, Bishop of Hull and Chair of the Terms of Service Implementation Panel, to explain.

“Clergy's employment status is unusual, in that ordained ministers are not employees of the Church of England but 'office holders' whose nearest equivalent in the secular world are judges. This status gives clergy the freedom ultimately to act with a measure of independence. However, both the judiciary and other professions where offices still exist have been subject to reform, and are now more accountable – the challenge is to balance appropriate independence with accountability.

“At present, most priests have the 'freehold' of their parish, which gives them powerful rights of tenure even if they are not doing their job properly. At the other end of the spectrum, some 3,500 stipendiary priests are on relatively short-term contracts, and could be summarily dismissed by their bishops with very little recourse. Both positions are unacceptable.

“The new legislation will mean that all clergy on short term contracts will be covered by 'Common Tenure', which gives them security of tenure, and requires them to participate in a system of development review to support them in their ministry and mission. Those few clergy who fall short will be subject to a further review and offered support; in the last resort, they may be removed from office – with the opportunity to appeal to an employment tribunal. It is hoped these proposals will provide a framework of support and accountability that will allow the ministry of the clergy to flourish.

“Under the proposed legislation, no new freehold appointments would be made, and once a freehold becomes vacant, it will be converted to Common Tenure. Existing freeholders will be invited to 'opt in' to Common Tenure.

“The new arrangements will bring the church in line with good practice, ensuring that everybody is properly protected in what they do, is made properly accountable for what they do, and is treated with dignity."

Work has begun on creating a national framework of support for dioceses, including models of good practice for both terms of service and ministerial development; a telephone helpline for diocesan contacts; the recruitment and training of professional human resources advisers; electronic networks for gathering information and sharing good practice; regional training courses; and a terms of service website containing the full terms of service handbook and frequently asked questions. A timetable for the introduction of each of these elements will be sent to dioceses shortly.

 For further information, visit: www.cofe.anglican.org/ lifeevents/ministry/ workofmindiv/dracsc/rctshomepage/