Fareham Deanery

Paper for consideration of  Groups, United Benefice, Plurality

 

General

This paper is intended to provide a brief outline of the difference between groups, united benefices and pluralities. The different options require different processes and levels of consultation in order to be achieved.  These are outlined in this paper and could be expanded upon with individual PCCs if required.  It does not include Clusters, Team Ministries or Local Ecumenical Projects. 

 

For the purposes of this paper, Incumbent also means Priest in Charge.  In most cases the Pastoral Measure affords them equal rights regardless of their difference in freehold status. Full details of terms and conditions of service legislation regarding Common Tenure are not included in this paper.  In essence, all freehold clergy will continue under present terms and conditions unless they agree to the application of the Measure to themselves.  The new arrangements detailed in the law will automatically cover Team Vicars, Priest in Charge appointments, fixed term appointments (such as Assistant Curates and House for Duty clergy), non-stipendiary ministers, canonically licensed lay workers in receipt of stipend and/or housing and all new appointments made after the legislation comes into effect.  It is anticipated that the legislation will come into effect on 31 January 2011.

 

Group Ministry

This is the linking or grouping of several benefices but where each benefice retains a separate and distinct existence.  Incumbents of the individual benefices that make up the group have authority to perform in every benefice within the group.  The exception to this is that a woman priest may not preside at or celebrate Holy Communion or pronounce the Absolution in a parish where Resolutions A or B under the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 are in force.

 

The benefit of a group is that incumbents are required to work together to ensure the best possible provision for the cure of souls throughout the group.  This can lead to incumbents taking a ‘lead role’ such as youth work, schools work, ministry of healing etc.  Incumbents are required to form a group chapter and a scheme creating a group often appoints a chair of the group chapter.  It is possible not to prescribe for a chair but let the group elect one from their number.

 

Once a group ministry is established, a group council can be constituted by a scheme under the Church Representation Rules, by bishop’s instrument or by the Pastoral Scheme itself.  The matters which would be covered in such a scheme include the establishment of the group council, the appointment of chair, meetings and procedures of the council, the number of lay persons who are to be members and any delegation of the functions of the PCC of each parish in the area.

 

Once a scheme has been put in place to establish a group, no individual incumbent may remove his/her benefice from it, without the whole group being dissolved.  Also, any new incumbent admitted to a benefice within the group is admitted to the duties of the whole group. 

 

A group ministry is established by a pastoral scheme made by Her Majesty in Council.  The process for achieving a scheme is briefly outlined below. 

The time scale for achieving an Order in Council is normally 8 months to a year.  Schemes of this nature are particularly good for situations where a permanent and long-term solution is required.  Because of the time to achieve a scheme it is not recommended for experimental periods or where the final solution is not known.

United Benefice

This involves the simple union of two or more benefices by means of a pastoral scheme as described above.  There is flexibility within the union to join as much or as little as is desired.  For example, it may be desirable to have one PCC.  A united benefice provides for one incumbent to be in charge of both benefices.  A united benefice is normally referred to as ‘Hatchwater St Peter with Riversdean St Andrew’ or ‘Hatchwater St Peter and Riversdean St Andrew’ depending on the nature of the union.

 

The main advantage of a united benefice is that it provides a permanent staffing solution to two or more benefices which might not otherwise be entitled to an incumbent in their own right.  If the union is set up well it should also reduce bureaucracy and administrative burden as much can be done once for both benefices that would otherwise be undertaken separately.

 

The main disadvantage is that once established a united benefice is difficult to undo.  It should also be noted that regardless of past practices the wishes of the incumbent with regards to such matters as the ministry of women would apply across the union.  It is also necessary to obtain the consent of all the patrons and where there is more than one patron it is often necessary to establish a new process for appointments across the union.

Process for achieving a pastoral scheme

Pluralities

A plurality is the holding of two or more benefices together, much like a union, but with less permanency.  Pluralities are normally created where an incumbent is asked to provide pastoral care to a neighbouring benefice but no decision has been made about its long-term future.  Pluralities are created by an order rather than a scheme, which means it takes less time to be put in place and are more readily, ended if required.  Below is a simplified diagram showing the process for achieving an order.  The process usually takes three months: 

 

 

Termination of a plurality may be effected either by the bishop or by an interested PCC on a vacancy.  If an incumbent of a plurality wishes to resign he/she must resign from the whole plurality.

 

The main advantage of a plurality is that it is much easier to put in place and is not as prescriptive about the future of the individual benefices concerned.  Pluralities, like unions, provide a framework for securing the provision of stipendiary ministry in one or more benefices.  It is usual in cases of pluralities that one benefice already has an incumbent and other benefices are joined into the plurality to afford them the same ministry.  Pluralities do allow individual benefices some degree of freedom such as styles of worship but the incumbent may direct on matters of sacramental importance as he/she sees fit.

 

The main disadvantage of a plurality is that it does not provide the same level of security as a union and normally comes to an end with the departure of an incumbent (at a time when the benefices may need to co-operate more closely).

 

 

June 2010