Retired Priests

Welfare Committee

Annual Report to the people of the Diocese

The Retired Priests Welfare Committee continues to work on behalf of all our Diocesan retired priests. The Committee, chaired by the Vicar General, meets three times a year to discuss all matters regarding retired priests and agree ways we can support those who need help. Canon Davern visits the retired brethren who live in Ireland so we are kept in touch with their progress.

The Annual Reunion at York is very well received and we are delighted that Bishop Harris and Bishop John always attend the Mass and lunch. The Christmas Hampers which we send to the priests in Ireland are much appreciated and Bishop John receives many letters of thanks.

In Figure 1 the income and expenditure account for the year ending 2005 is shown and we have been able to increase our reserves during that year. We have three sources of income: donations, legacies, and interest on the monies we have invested from the £1m Appeal.

One main source of income is the annual collection which is taken in September; the 2005 collection amounted to £14,938 and the contributions from the parishes are shown in Figure 2.

Our main expenditures were as follows:

£2,540 for administration costs
£6,128 for priests’ tax advice and consultancy including the calculation of tax liabilities and the preparation of tax returns and tax credit forms.
£3,335 for priests’ tax liabilities.
£10,961 for top up pensions to meet our commitment to provide £4,000 p.a. (at 1997 prices) to all of our retired priests who are members of the pension fund.
£8,384 towards rent to help those retired priests in need.
£1,395 for the Retired Priests’ Annual Reunion lunch and Christmas Hampers.
£2,911 for the funeral costs of retired priests.

Finally, on behalf of the Committee and all our retired priests, sincere thanks to the people of the Diocese for their generous support and, as funds build up, we hope to do more for the retired priests who have served us so faithfully over the years.

Retired Priests Welfare Committee

If you have any queries or comments please do not hesitate to contact Dr Jim Whiston, Secretary to the Retired Priests Welfare Committee, at the Curial Office.

Figure 1

Retired Priests’ Welfare Fund Income and Expenditure Account Year Ending 31 December 2005
	£	£
Income
Donations received		23,004
Legacies received		30,956
Interest received		36,298
		90,258
Administration expenditure	2,540
Consultancy – tax advisory	6,128
Priests’ tax liabilities	3,335
Retirement pension paid to Priests	10,961
Rent and accommodation	8,384
Retirement lunch and Christmas Hampers	1,395
Funeral expenses	2,911
		35,654
Surplus		54,604

Balance of reserves brought forward (2004)		698,158
Balance of reserves carried forward at end 2005		752,762

Figure 2

Retired Priests' Welfare Collection 2004
Parish	£
Beverley	342.72
Bridlington	134.00
Brotton	80.81
Driffield	210.38
Filey	99.77
Guisborough	227.14
Hedon	149.00
Hessle	11.00
Hornsea	224.86
Hull – Holy Name	60.00
Hull – St Anthony	50.00
Hull – St Vincent	1,000.00
Ingleby Barwick	163.93
Loftus	685.00
Market Weighton	171.00
Marske	244.00
Middlesbrough – Cathedral	549.81
Middlesbrough – St Alphonsus	300.00
Middlesbrough – Sacred Heart	501.05
Middlesbrough – St Joseph	120.00
Middlesbrough – St Francis	200.00
Middlesbrough – St Clare	207.61
Northallerton	174.21
Easingwold	211.03
Nunthorpe	842.26
Pickering	260.00
Redcar – Sacred Heart	296.10
Redcar – St Augustine	90.00
Redcar – St Alban	105.35
Saltburn	150.74
Staithes	95.82
Stokesley	1,360.00
Scarborough Parishes	1,058.15
Teesville	774.04
Thirsk	206.00
Thornaby – Christ the King	140.00
Ugthorpe	38.12
Whitby – St Hilda	281.75
Yarm	231.72
York – St Wilfrid	352.85
York – St George	219.68
York – St Aelred	659.54
York – St Joseph	435.74
York – St Paulinus	210.00
York – Our Lady	841.00
St Chads, Kikbymoorside	84.54
Ampleforth	56.99
Total	14,937.71

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough

Retired Priests

Welfare Committee

Annual Report to the people of the Diocese

Figure 1

Figure 2