Quote:
Originally Posted by Laird Scooby
You beat me to it John!
It is a question that could precipitate a huge debate about us appointing ourselves custodians of the various religious buildings and other older buildings that are now Listed.
One school of thought might say "It's Gods will that the building decays and falls" whereas another might say "It must be preserved for worship" - likewise with a 17th century house - "it must be preserved as it was built" and "it's old, let it crumble and we'll build a new one".
Similarly with cars and the concourse Vs oily rag/rolling restoration. We always do our best to make things as they should be/need to be to last in the most practical way and with cars, we often take the route of using a better product that isn't original for cost, weight, durability and so on. Of course that detracts from original but it makes them last longer and is an excellent compromise.
It's a shame those in charge of listed buildings and religious buildings (whether they are churches, monasteries, cathedrals or even the good ol' rectory where the vicar lives during the week) can't see the compromise is worth making.
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I think that if we wish to take this discussion to a deeper level, 'L.S.', then, in fairness to everyone, it should also be in its own right in a separate thread. Happy for that to happen if there's a desire to do so.
If I may correct you on one thing, the days of one vicar, one parish, are long gone.
The Diocese sold off the Victorian vicarage in our village, in a dilapidated state, over 20 years ago. It is presently on the market (restored - but, to me, not particularly tastefully) for a cool £2M!
We are in an interregnum, with little prospect of a new incumbent being appointed, and, currently, have only the equivalent of one half of a vicar looking after a benefice of six parishes. In that, we are not untypical.
Many priests are also self-funding (i.e. have another (paid) job), what used to be known as NSMs, or Non-stipendary Ministers. Many, too, live in houses not unlike yours or mine, often as a 'house for duty', in lieu of a stipend, or salary.
I know people say the church is asset rich, but assets don't pay the bills, and can only be sold the once, often sacrificing rental income. Our Diocese, which is not alone, is predicting a £2M shortfall in the next FY.
The church, like most people, is feeling the pinch, and further, more Draconian, economies are expected in the near future. There is little point in crying over spilt milk, but it does make things difficult at a parochial level.
People, with some justification, say that the church is always asking for money. That is not the impression that most of us involved with it at a parish level would wish to give.
Regards, John.