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Bishops in Church of England reveal their finances
2002-005-1
1/9/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
For the first time in history, the Church of England has publicly revealed the financial costs of maintaining its episcopate.
In the face of criticism that the bishops were living in relative grandeur, church authorities have pointed out that only a quarter of the 44 diocesan bishops lives in anything resembling a palace--and the actual living quarters are more likely than not to be an apartment in the larger complex. The palaces usually include diocesan offices, rooms that are rented for conferences and even wedding receptions.
'We would call this sensible, maximal use of space,' said Stephen Conway of Durham, whose bishop lives in Auckland Castle, one of the grandest residences in the church. 'It's a privilege to be in such surroundings but living at the castle as a temporary tenant doesn't identify the bishop with a particular socio-economic group.'
Church figures show that, in 2000, the diocesan bishops together with 70 suffragan and assistant bishops cost the church a total of 12.8 million pounds, about $18.6 million. Of that amount, about 3.5 million covered employment costs, an average of $44,500 per bishop. The rest of the costs are related to working expenses in maintaining an office.
'Bishops are very hardworking, perhaps excessively so,' said Prof. Anthony Mellows who released the figures. 'The pressures on them are increasing. They do not have lavish lifestyles.'
As spiritual head of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, as well as diocesan bishop of Canterbury, George Carey heads the list with total costs of $1.4 million.
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