How Do Clergy Members Get Paid?

[mulls]

Simple question. Are priests, bishops, nuns, etc. on salary, or what?

[homeschoolmom]

yeah... also where do they live? I mean, like a parish priest for example...

[theculturewarrior]

Most parish priests live in a house adjacent to or near their parish. Often they live in community with the other priests of the parish.

I believe that clergy (and by this, I mean, secular clergy) get a modest stipend. Religious usually take vows of poverty, so that's out.

[jasJis]

Things change depending upon whether or not you belong to an Order or generically to the Diocese. The rules of Poverty will change.
Most priests are Diocecesan and the Diocese or Parish will provide housing and sets the rate of pay.

[cmotherofpirl]

Yep many priests are rather poor, so invite them to dinner occasionally.

[Brother Adam]

clergy usually make very little money, but it would be closer to a "salary" rather than "hourly" or anything like that.

[mulls]

who signs the paycheck? or do they not get paychecks?

[theculturewarrior]

I'm not sure about the if, but the who is the diocese.

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='mulls' date='May 17 2004, 02:31 PM'] who signs the paycheck? or do they not get paychecks? [/quote]
As in, where does the money go when it is collected and who distributes the paychecks? I believe each church induvidually takes care of that. Good question though. You have me curious. lol. I'm goign to ask tonight in RCIA.

[Brother Adam]

I know in our Lutheran Church, we had a committee which members sat on. Every Sunday there would be two members and a leader who would count the money. No one knew how much anyone gave. In fact, only the computer actually knows how much anyone is giving. But the money is counted in front of three people, all of whom sign off on it, and then it is put in a safe until Monday. On monday it is taken from the safe deposited in the bank by two induviduals who also sign papers.

[cmotherofpirl]

The priests are paid a modest salary by the diocese. Collection money pays the bills of the Church, supports all its ministries, and some goes to the diocese to pay its bills.

[mamalove]

My bro-in-law just so happens to be staying at our house 2night. So, as I was reading this thread, I thought I would just ask him "Fr. Bernie, how do you get paid?"

He gets a paycheck from his parish. He signs his own paycheck to an amount pre-determined by the diocese. But, every diocese is different. This is how it's done here.

[mulls]

thank you, those last two posts is what i was looking for.


i'm just wondering about people who get paid to do full-time ministry in any capacity, so i figured i'd check on the catholic side of the equation.

[Brother Adam]

Since it is full public knowledge I can tell you our Baptist pastor gets paid over $53,000 a year which does not include his housing allowance, study allowance, or travel allowance.

[mulls]

wow, i don't know if i could do that

[dUSt]

All I know is Fr Pontifex is broke. hahaha

And... we're actually going to have to buy some Franciscan Friars some shoes so they can fly down to TX, as all they have is one pair of sandals each (I get a discount on plane tickets, but there's a dress code). So, if that tells you anything...

I know that my parish employs a few full-time lay people, like the youth coordinator, secretary, maintenance facilitator, etc. I don't know what their salary is, but I'm assuming it's not a lot--probably more than the priest though, as they have families to support.

I think I heard from a priest once that he gets housing and food, and then like $50/week allowance.

[mulls]

general question for all:


do you think that those in full-time ministry should be paid on salary? obviously they need an income, but should they be paid to do the Lord's work?

[Brother Adam]

Yes. Of Course. They do the Lord's work. We need to provide for them. It's to what extent is the question. If it means allowing them money to be able to eat, visit a doctor, have some allowance for study material, absolutely. If they are driving around in a brand new BMW, a thousand miles to a conference in an new 500 dollar suit, then I have a problem. The Church provided for the Apostles. They came together as a community and everyone freely gave what they could.

[mulls]

precisely, we as the church should support them, but should they have a definite salary, with raises and pensions and all that?



i really don't know where i'm going with this.

[dUSt]

[quote name='mulls' date='May 18 2004, 03:51 PM'] general question for all:


do you think that those in full-time ministry should be paid on salary? obviously they need an income, but should they be paid to do the Lord's work? [/quote]
If they do ministry full-time, then they need to be able to support themselves and their family, so yes, a modest salary is fine. I would say just enough to survive on.

If they can afford $2000 suits, gold watches and BMWs, then obviously, there's a problem.