[Magdalen] Retired clergy (was Re: Epiphany)

[Sally Davies]

We love our former Rector so much and on the few occasions when he's showed
up the greeting is joyous. There was, and probably still is, some "pining"
but it's been well managed I think - some people left, but others joined
with the new rector; who was himself raised in our Church so has strong
relationships with the former priest as well as lay leadership.

Some frustration was directed at the Bishop when Fr Rob was moved to a
school chaplaincy, but he had not been in good health and I think by now
people have understood that he's in the right place and have given the move
their blessing and support.

Our current incumbent therefore has no problems and is not in the least
threatened. Doesn't it come down to relationships, being honest and being
aware of the potential negatives and positives? Our former Assistant Priest
is still part of the parish and still carrying out some duties
post-retirement, and that's not a problem either.

I can see how, in some situations, it is not desirable for the former
rector to be around, but can't see why it has to be a rule for every
situation or why there can't be better, kinder ways to solve the problem.

Sally D

On Thursday, 14 January 2016, Jim Guthrie <jguthrie at pipeline.com> wrote:

> From: Scott Knitter
>
> Gary+, our previous rector, came back only to attend an assisting
>> priest's funeral (a priest he had hired), and then for his own. RIP.
>>
>
> I've seen several new Rectors tenure destroyed by having former Rectors
> nearby. starting with the replacement for Mr. Mills at St James St James on
> Long Island, who moved up the road and was always "available." The new
> Rector, Peter McLean (who was a PK, father a bishop and served a couple of
> tours as a Marine Chaplain in the Jungles of Viet Nam) didn’t stand a
> chance.
>
> I think it should be a firm rule that former Rectors must stay away for
> 3-5 years under all circumstances, safe perhaps showing up in mufti for a
> wedding or funeral, maybe.
>
> But then, one of the jobs of a good Interim is to persuade the
> congregation that the former Rector was, essentially (and in a gentle,
> charitable fashion <g>) that the former Rector was a bum and a heretic and
> an incompetent, so as to pave the way for them to embrace the new Rector as
> the best cleric to come along since John the Baptist.  That gives the new
> Rector the chance to make the changes he or she feels called to do without
> much complaint.
>
> Or to put it more gently, a good interim (among other tasks) makes sure
> that the congregation won’t ever greet the new Rector with pining for
> his/her predecessor.
>
> Cheers,
> Jim Guthrie
>
>