Unite forms Church of England association to tackle employment
issues
20 February 2012
A new association dedicated to the employment issues of Church
of England (CoE) clergy was launched today (Monday 20 February) by
Unite, the country’s largest union.
The Church of England Clergy Association (CECA) will be open to
all CoE clergy.
The first CECA chair, Revd. Pete Hobson, said: “There has been
an increased professionalism over recent years in the ways the
Church of England manages the employment of its clergy, who are on
the frontline of pastoral care on a daily basis.
“The recent tragic case of the murder of Revd. John Suddards in
his own Gloucester vicarage illustrates only too well the risks
clergy are exposed to in their daily working lives.
“The formation of the Association follows talks with the House
of Clergy of the General Synod, which has regularly voted to
support the creation of a body of this sort.
“Foremost amongst the stated aims of CECA is the support of the
ministry of the Church of England, especially through its
clergy. We will do this not only through supporting
individual clergy, but also by education and discussion.
“We will be looking to work collaboratively and positively with
bishops and all formal institutions of the church to that end.
“Clergy are now quite properly subject to formal procedures for
complaints, competency and appraisal.
“The formation of the association follows talks with the House
of Clergy of the General Synod, which has regularly voted to
support the creation of a body of this sort.
“In extreme scenarios not only our jobs, but also our homes are
on the line. In such situations, clergy deserve the very best
independent advice and support - and the church as an institution
is just not geared up to provide that.
“The church owes its clergy a duty of care, but in some
situations it is compromised in its ability to provide that.
In those situations, clergy need somewhere to turn to that fully
understands the world they live and work in, but is also able to
look fully to their own well-being.”
Unite has a long-established Faith Workers Branch, and
represents some 2,500 members from the world’s major religions. The
CECA will operate within the framework of the Faith Workers
branch.
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer Shaun Noble on 07768 693940
Revd Pete Hobson was ordained into the Church of England in 1977
and has over 30 years of experience as a parish priest in the
dioceses of Manchester, London and Leicester. He is currently
Director of St Martins House in Leicester, a centre of outreach and
service on behalf of the diocese and cathedral.
The association’s website is www.ceca.org.uk
