Dear Editor,
While I agree with much that Peter Sanlon says regarding the Church of England and the evangelical response, I have to take issue with his claim that clergy receive a remuneration package worth £65,000 p.a.
My sending diocese forced us to sell our house when I was accepted for training, and we lost £12,000 back in 1991. Yes, we now live rent-free, but when I retire (or am forced out of the CofE) we will have no home. Although we save what we can, a gross stipend of £26,000 p.a. doesn’t leave room to build up sufficient capital to buy a house and, renting on a small pension that has already been reduced twice since I’ve been ordained, it will be impossible in the south of England, close to my family.
