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Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Theological

‘Theology’ means literally ‘words about God’. Christian theology involves our trying to understand and explain what God has revealed about himself through Scripture. This work is aided by the writings of past and present theologians and human reason.

Home Pobl Dewi: December 2025 IN MY VIEW

IN MY VIEW

Retired clergy – a forgotten asset?

Jeremy Martineau fears years of ministerial experience are at risk of being lost.

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How are Retiring and Retired Clergy Supported? Mapping the Provision that the Church of England Offers to Ministers Facing Retirement and in Retirement, is the title of a thorough and helpful article in the current edition of Rural Theology.

https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/yrur20/23/1

The research focuses on the diocesan websites of the English dioceses. This shows how well most dioceses are taking the role of retired clergy, acknowledging that there are more retired than those in licensed ministry.

The Archbishops’ Council conceptualises ordination to the priesthood as a life-long vocation. This ministry takes on a different form on retirement. Permission to Officiate may not span the opportunities to which retired clergy can relate.

This raises the question of how the Diocese of St Davids views the retired clergy living here. If the diocesan website is a measure then the answer is that retired clergy are of no consequence. The investment in theological training and years of ministerial experience is in danger of being lost on retirement.

Most English dioceses have appointed a Designated Responsible Person (DRP) to provide care and support for the retired recognising that it is not good to view the retired as merely fillers for when the stipendiary are away or ill. Such DRPs or Retired Clergy Officers should be a core part of the staff team as the retired can be seen as an asset for the mission of the Church, being no longer tied to a parochial responsibility.

The Diocese of Leicester includes retired ministers in its strategy Shaped by God for long-term growth. The Diocese of Truro anecdotally reports that many rural multi-church benefices rely on the retired for a continuing ministry of care and worship.

The article recognises a range of issues for clergy facing or experiencing retirement: housing, loss of social status, moving to a new environment, loss of role. The impact of retirement begins well before the date of retirement. Many dioceses use this period to prepare for the changes that come on retirement.

This short piece has one aim – to encourage the reading of the full article in Rural Theology (Volume 23 Number 1 2025) and for our diocese to re-visit the positive contribution that retired clergy can make to the mission of the Church.