04/09/2026
Firstly, I’ve not read the article because I don’t have a subscription
Secondly, as much as I love Dawn French and the Vicar of Dibley, there are actually quite a few ‘ real’ priest about, all be it arguably not enough.
Thirdly, It’s a big challenge, this talks about clergy numbers, from a recruitment and retention perspective, but if we can’t afford them, don’t have enough people supporting our local churches to pay the bills, repair the roofs or or put sufficient into the common pot to enable clergy to be paid a reasonable sum for six days a week on a good week, what do we expect?
Being responsible for 5 churches, 6 villages, 3 church primary schools, with oversight of a 6th is challenging and rewarding, and can only be done with the help of faithful hardworking volunteers.
If you want our parish churches to survive- the only way is to join in and be part of them, regularly and not just as a consumer for christenings, weddings and funerals.
God’s church will survive, but it won’t look anything like the model of parish church with a parish priest, or a fraction of one.
The Church of England is facing a ‘crisis in clergy numbers’ as it struggles to recruit and retain priests for paid parish roles, a report has warned
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