Evening journal., 1916-02-08
The Assoclntlon Q
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1916.
RETIRED CLERGY AND Pensions.


ID ISHOP klNSMAN, Of the Diocese of Delaware un-
- questionaby will be supportd Loyalty by the clergy
and lay Of this State in his effort to have Delaware
Episcopaans cooperate in the nationwide movement
TO establish system of pensions for retired Episco-
pal clergymen The figures cited by the Bishop in his
statement show clearly the imperative need for such
system.
The Of it all is that the average Episcopal cer-
gyman does not enough money in the days Of his
activity to enable him lay aside fund for the sup
port Of himself and his family in the days of enforced
retirement
Bishop Kinsman's statement which is based upon
facts and figures carefully collected compiled and de
gested, shows that there 442O in the active
service Of the Episcopal Church in the United States
Their average salary is $1,000 year This is not an
cash. but includes he value OF a house when provided
More than $500 Of these minister's over one-haif the
total number receives less than year only 237
including the l25 Bshops-receive $4,000 on over
More than ZOO men paid less than $1,000 and many
OF these zoo are the older clergy, with very hard
tasks. The church now is virtually carrying out a
scheme OF retirement at the expense Of its older
men
These meagre salaries are paid to clergymen eorv-
ing what is often asserted be the richest church
membership in America" the Bishop says Those
men expected to have good education to dress
wen, to live and move among people where rents are
high. keep open house always appear cheerful. and
preserve their physical vigor They men of devo
ton, who often exercise leadership in their commun-
lies, and who must support themselves, their wives
and their children the salaries paid them. with
little or no thought OF outside interests The min
listers do not complain But the church Itself must
be efficient Efficiency consists partly in being
equipped to fight the top-notoh enthusiasm and
vigor The minister cannot do this IT, with all his
rihces cheerfully made while he is active he has no
assurance of competence in his old age Railroad
companies seek efficiency and enthusiasm from their.
men through promise of pension 1t is in the broad
est interest OF society that every should the
same"
The plan proposed is that each parish shall pay
each year into the pension fund amount equal to
seven per cent. of the rector's salary That seven
per shall be deducted from the salary but be
separate contribution from the parish rector will
be permitted retire when he iss6S years old on
pension equal to onehalf his average salary during
his active service He also will receive a pension il
disabled in active service When he dies his widow
and minor children will receive annual pensions.
"Thus in the full tide active service he throw
himself into his work with the complete abandonment
Of officer who knows that whatever happens to him,
his dear will be cared for and he IL living to
old age, will to his grave with dignity and self
respect" the Bishop adds "In order TO take care
OF those who should be pensioned Immediately, and
to give the contribuory plan time to permanently
on its own wheels. initial Of s5,OOO.OOO is to
be raised.
Il is a big undertaking; and yet it has underlying
it such fine purpose that it should succeed, only
in Delaware but also in all the other States.