Dossier on run-down vicarages to be compiled
6th July 2009
A fact finding survey on the dilapidated vicarages and manses of
Britain is being compiled by Unite, the largest union in the
country.
Vicars from Vauxhall, rectors from Reading, and ministers from
Manchester are being asked to contribute information on the state
of their homes for the dossier.
Unite is responding to concern from some of its 2,500 faith
worker members about their accommodation and hopes to use the facts
gathered for a positive dialogue with the churches, and
representatives from other religions.
Unite is currently pressing for a meeting with the Church of
England in a bid to get more than 6,000 vicarages and rectories
revamped to bring them up to modern environmental and safety
standards.
But Rachael Maskell, Unite national officer, community and non
profit sector, said that Unite also wanted to hear from clerics of
all faiths about the state of their living accommodation.
Rachael Maskell said: ‘We want to build a nationwide profile of
the housing stock as some of the homes that our members are living
in are pretty appalling. We are asking ministers, imams and rabbis
to contact us in confidence, so we can campaign on their
behalf.
"We also want to hear examples of good practice where problems
have been dealt with swiftly and
efficiently."
Unite members should write their comments on www.unitetheunion.org/parsonages
and non-members should email: faithworkers@unitetheunion.org.
Unite has already told the Church of England’s ministry division
of the Archbishops’ Council that its clergy are living in poorly
maintained vicarages. Clergy have had to put up with inertia and a
host of poor decisions by dioceses when it comes to undertaking
necessary repairs.
In a paper to the church, Unite said: "At a gathering of clergy
spouses in one diocese, addressed by the diocesan surveyor, the
anger expressed was reportedly so strong that the bishop’s wife had
to call the spouses to supper before things got out of hand."
Rachael Maskell said: "Everyone has a right to a decent standard
of accommodation, but unfortunately, this not the case for many
clergy - cracked walls, poor standard of repairs, and central
heating not being replaced in a timely fashion are just some of the
problems that need eradicating."
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information, please contact:
- Rachael Maskell, national officer on 020 7420 8979
or 07768 693933, Shaun Noble, communications officer (third
sector) 020 7420 8951 or 07768 693 940
- Unite represents over 60,000 members in the Third Sector.
- Unite press releases on the Non Profit Sector can be seen on
website: www.unitetheunion.org/nonprofit
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