Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-02-07
EPISC0P ALIANS
Want TO PENSION
Nationwide Movement An
nounced by Richmond
Clergyman
THE BISHOPS MESSAGE
Campaign Launched to Raise Fund of
S5,0OO.OOO to Retire Ministers al
6S Years of Age.

Richmond, Feb. Acting for Rt.
Rev Robert A. Gibson, D D., Bishop
of Virginia, Rev. G. Freeland Peter.
rector of St. James Episcopal Church
instead of delivering sermon, an
nounced from his pulpit yesterday
morning to the Diocese of Virginia
the plan of the Episcopal Church in
the United States to raise an initial
fund of S5,000,000 to retire on pen
sion clergymen of that church, when
they shall have reached the age of
sixty eight years.
In accordance with arrangements,
every diocesan bishop of the Episco-
pal Church yesterday made similar
announcement, or, il te was prevented
from making the statement in person
! caused it to be made in his diocese.
delivered the following message to
the Diocese of Virginia:
"The Episcopal Church has deter
mined to undertake the largest single
enterprise in it's history, namely, to
institute a system Of pensions for its
retired clergy.
Before entering upon this policy,
the church did two things: (1) made
a careful census of the salaries now
! paid to clergymen, and (2) had calcu-
lations made by expert actuaries OF
! the cost c: maintaining system tha
permanent success of which there
could be no boubt.
'.1he census Of salaries, now COM
plcted, shows The following principal
facts
"There are 1920 men in the active
service of the Episcopal Church in
the United States. Their average sal
airy is 1900 year. This is not all
cash, but includes the value of house
when provided. More than $500 of
thJe ministers. over onc-half the to-
tai number, receive less than $1,000
year. Only 237, including the 125
bishops. receive $4,000 or over.
"More than TOO men are paid less
than $1,000 and many of these TOO
are the older clergy, with very hard
tasks. The church now is virtually
carrying out Il scheme of retirement
at the expense of les older men.
"trhese meager salaries are paid to
clergymen serving what is often as
serted to be the richest church men,
bership in America. These men are
: expected to hae a good education, to
dress well, to live and move among
people where rents are high: keep
: open house, always appear cheerful
and preserve their physical vigor
They are men of devotion, who offer
exercise leadership in their communl'
ties. and who must support them
selves. their wives and their children
on the salaries paid them, with little
:, or no thought of outside interests.
1.-THE ministers do not complain
But the church itself must be efficient
1 Efficiency consists partly in being
: equipped to fight at the top-notch Of
e enthusiasm and vigor The minister
: cannot do this if, with all his sacrl
: fees. checrfully made, while he is ac
: tive. he has no assurances of a com
petence in his old age.
o Railroad companies seek efiicienc!
: and enthusiasm from their mel
+ through promises of a pension. 1t /:
: in the broadest interest of soclet.
: that every church should do the same
y "The Episcopal Church has passe'
the exact vital statistics of the who'll
body of clergy through the labora
tory of the best actuaries. and ha
adopted pension system which
: modern and sound.
|. ''It is contributory system where
l. by. upon the payment by the paris
S each year Of an additional Z per cent
5. speaking roughly, of the minister
4, salary. he will receive on retiring a
5. sixty-eight. a pension equal to one
5, half his average salary during his az
3. tive service. At death, his widow an
V minor children, will receive annus
a pensions; if disabled in active Sc,
/, vice. a pension follows.
j. "Thus, in the full tide of active sci
vice, he can throw himself into hi