THE Church must be modelling a greater way of being in the sunshine of the degrees of stress, burnout, and depression suffered by clergy, the Revd Kate O’Sullivan (Monmouth) told the Governing Body on Thursday of last week.
She brought a personal member’s motion (PMM) around clergy well-being. A Church of England study, Living in Ministry, had highlighted that one third of incumbents were exhibiting signs of clinical depression, and he or she believed that it could be reasonable to assume that the findings could be similar in Wales.
Current patterns of ministry were unsustainable if clergy were to keep up good physical and mental health, she suggested in a briefing paper for the meeting. Two actions — at no additional cost — would contribute to an improvement: the primary offering clergy a further time off a month to be taken alongside the present time off, but not a Sunday.
“This would give clergy the chance to completely loosen up over two days, as other people do,” she said in a briefing note. “It would mean that visiting family who live away could be more realistic. Many single clergy, particularly, who live a great distance from family and friends, often find the dearth of time can increase their sense of isolation.
“I feel this measure would improve work/life balance. It is commonly said that clergy have flexible diaries, but lots of us feel guilty at stretching flexibility to an additional time off, even when now we have already worked many hours. Sometimes, we want ‘official’ permission to take that point. Also, clergy in additional junior roles don’t at all times have that flexibility, and it is simply too reliant on the generosity of the incumbent.”
Clergy currently had 4 weeks’ annual leave, and the within per week at Christmas and Easter. A second motion, increasing that to a full week after Christmas and Easter, could be helpful, she said, again giving a superb opportunity to recharge after a really busy time. “Now that we’re in ministry areas, it must be possible to cover services, with the sharing of resources,” she said.
“It seems to me that in our increasingly busy world, and the increasing pressure on parish clergy, that we should always be modelling a greater way of being, with so many clergy affected by stress, burnout, and depression.” These small measures would construct resilience and perspective in busy ministries.
It was also necessary for the Church to recognise that many laity also committed an enormous amount of their time to church, feeling high levels of responsibility for the positions that they undertook — often as much as if it were a paid post.
“I feel that we want to construct a culture in church that taking time to rest and being with our family members is a superb thing, and that overwork and subsequent burnout could be very unhealthy for each clear laity and clergy,” she said. “As a Church, we have to be rather more mindful of those that commit their time.”
As someone formerly married to a priest, she knew the fee of parish ministry to a wedding, she said. “God is our life, but, if ministry becomes our entire life, it becomes difficult work; spilling over into private life just isn’t good for us.” Ministry had modified: every little thing was faster, with “a little bit of us feeling we must respond in 24 hours [to texts and emails]. More is demanded of us — a growing expectation of clergy which can’t be met. I’m told by many who the motion doesn’t go far enough, and I agree.
“Two days off in succession will help well-being. Some won’t take it, but that just isn’t a reason to not vote in favour. Junior colleagues, particularly, don’t have any control over their diaries.
“The aim is to start a change in culture and create a ministry that’s long run and sustainable.”
Ian Loynd (Monmouth), seconding the motion, said that demand was increasing and resources were dwindling. “Three-quarters of UK adults felt so stressed within the last 12 months that they felt unable to manage. I ponder what the figure could be for clergy,” he said. “We have to be a greater example to those that serve those we serve. Much of this practice already exists within the diocese of Monmouth. The motion opens up recent possibilities for brand spanking new ways of living. The practical implications usually are not insuperable.”
In the controversy on the foremost motion, Paul Murray (Swansea & Brecon) was firmly against. He took clergy well-being seriously, but felt that the motion would do little to enhance their lot. He wondered what number of actually took their days off. He suggested more imaginative ways of coping with the issue.
Christopher Cotterill (Monmouth) was 100 per cent in favour of clergy welfare. But this motion didn’t go far enough: an intensive overhaul was needed of all of the terms and conditions of clergy: “We need them to be well cared for and well remunerated.”
Canon Adam Pawley (St Asaph) supported the motion and the spirit of the motion. His diocese had introduced joint mission-area services after Christmas and Easter for its 19 churches. It might be a chance for them to affirm the laity to step up and lead worship, he said. It was consistent with some Church of England dioceses, and he argued that “as clergy, we usually are not superhuman: we’re pastoral people. That’s why we’re here.”
Canon Andrew Lightbown (Monmouth) also supported the motion. “It may not go far enough, it might. But I feel an overall package and making this modest step now usually are not mutually exclusive. We do struggle to take day without work on a Sunday. We all have to be pragmatic in caring for one another. This appears to be an incredibly modest, bite-sized step we will take now while the bishops give it further consideration.”
Cathryn Brooker (Monmouth) was incensed on the casual suggestion that laity should “step up and lead worship. I can show you laity who work their socks off. I care also in regards to the well-being of our laity.”
Hannah Rowan (co-opted), as a member of a clergy family, said that it was tough managing day without work. Husbands were unavailable “when people expect you to be available. Things wouldn’t crumble if an individual was away for a number of days.”
Canon Trish Owens (St Asaph) said that, if the Governing Body approved the changes, it raised the problem of clerical cover. The terms of service for SSMs differed, and their welfare was equally necessary. She brought an amendment that sought the equivalent right for SSMs to be equally heard, and to have six Sundays off.
The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, intervened with notice that he was about to maneuver a procedural motion. The Bench of Bishops was principally in favour of what was being suggested within the substantive motion and the amendments, but he had “a deep concern that if we make a choice this afternoon, we’re in peril of acting in haste with unintended consequences.
“It is advisable for us to take a while to contemplate the ideas and motion before the Governing Body discusses it more fully,” he said. The Bishop hosts the portfolio for HR issues for the Church in Wales. He promised: “I’ll give you my assurance that I’ll work hard as a member of the Bench, the Standing Committee, and the HR Committee to see this matter is prosecuted fully and quickly.”
He asked under SO11 for a move to next business.
The Governing Body voted for his motion, 63 to 31.
