CLERGY within the Church in Wales will now be entitled to a further rest day once a month, to provide them a work-free period of two days in succession. They may also be entitled two holidays of seven days quite than six days, to be taken after Christmas and Easter.
The Governing Body voted unanimously on Wednesday for the changes to clergy terms and conditions. A Private Member’s Motion was first delivered to the April meeting by the Revd Kate O’Sullivan (Monmouth) (News, 26 April). She had referred to a Church of England study, Living in Ministry, which had suggested that one third of incumbents exhibited signs of clinical depression, arguing that current patterns of ministry were unsustainable if clergy were to take care of good physical and mental health (News, 23 February).
She had told the April meeting: “I think this measure would improve work/life balance. It is commonly said that clergy have flexible diaries, but a lot of us feel guilty at stretching flexibility to an additional break day, even when we’ve got already worked many hours.”
The motion provoked keen discussion, and amendments to the substantive motion were to be brought. But progress was abruptly ended by a procedural motion, on the idea that the proposed changes needed to be considered before any hasty decisions were taken, to protect against unintended consequences. There was, consequently, no vote, and the motion and amendments went to the Human Resources Committee for consideration.
The amended terms and conditions stipulate that it’s the cleric’s responsibility to be certain that they manage their working hours in a healthy way. The annual holiday entitlement is six weeks, to incorporate six Sundays each year plus Bank Holidays other than Christmas Day and Good Friday. One of those weeks should be taken inside a six-week period after Christmas Day and similarly after Easter Day.
On Wednesday, Ms O’Sullivan expressed her pleasure that the Governing Body had “run with it and brought it seriously. It looks like a step forward.” But she reminded the meeting that, while some clergy did have “freedom of diaries”, curates and junior staff didn’t.
The Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Ven. Andrew Grimwood, said that he “would really like the tools to implement [clergy] to take their leave once I perceive that they should”.
The Dean of Newport, the Very Revd Ian Black, described ministry as “a sprint, not a marathon, and we’re needing to sustain ourselves — all who’re engaged in ministry, ordained or lay — over a really long time period.
“I read the responsibility of the cleric to be certain that they manage their working hours in a healthy way as being [that] we do must take that responsibility. We are adults and grown-ups.
“However, we work inside systems and structures, and sometimes those structures can put pressures [on us], which individuals internalise. One of one of the best churchwardens I actually have had was one who took seriously his role to be certain that I used to be OK. We all have to have that responsibility to examine [on] each other and remind us once we’re overdoing it, or once we’ve just lost the plot for some reason: once we do, it is commonly right down to tiredness.”
Canon Adam Pawley (Elected) said: “It strikes an excellent balance, ensuring that we, as clergy, proceed to take care of our parishes and churches in that absence — and, as someone with 4 children and with in-laws and oldsters living within the East Midlands and Devon, I’m sure they’ll receive this well, too.”
The Revd Dr Kevin Ellis (Bangor) thanked the Governing Body for his or her care and trust that clergy could manage their diaries, but said: “Sometimes, it’ll need somewhat push.” Addressing wording about raised holiday entitlement for non-stipendiary clergy, he said: “I’m also mindful that this takes place within the context where not only clergy but our committed lay members are also working extraordinarily hard balancing jobs, family, children, and increasing demand within the lifetime of the Church.”
Canon Andrew Lightbown (Monmouth) was pleased with the stipulation that clergy should take responsibility for their very own well-being and their working hours, but he still had worries. Ensuring that clergy managed their working hours in a healthy way “assumes that we work inside a healthy system”, he said.
“I don’t think that’s an assumption that would necessarily be taken on face value, and we’re not individuals — as others have said, we’re a part of a body.” He also wondered whether the stipulation that clergy “must have” one continuous free period of 48 hours must be modified to “should have”.
The Revd Dr Rosemary Dymond (Bangor) welcomed the support for the flourishing of each clergy and laity, but was concerned on the stipulation that, thus far because it was possible, the cleric should arrange cover for the traditional range of services, including liaising with colleagues “to be certain that there may be at the very least one service of holy communion of their mission/ministry area each Sunday”.
For a few years, she had served in an area through which there have been no other ordained clergy for a lot of miles around. On Low Sunday, “with the understanding of all and the enabling of reality, it was possible to have an act of worship but not a holy communion”, she said.
The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, a member of the Human Resources Committee, wanted to provide an assurance: “We really do want the clergy to know that the hierarchy, the institution, the Church is in your side and desires to see you flourish.” He emphasised collegiality: “You will not be the only saviour. . .
“We also need to be very cautious about not becoming too detailed — quite simply, because clergy are office holders, not employees, and the more detailed the clergy terms of service develop into, the more it’s able to being interpreted by the law that clergy are employees. We think it is rather necessary that clergy have the liberty to shape their very own ministry.”
The vote was passed unanimously by easy majority.
