ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT:
For our priests in retirement
Friday 31 August 2012
EACH year on Father’s Day, Melbourne’s Catholics are invited to remember and support the Archdiocese’s retired and sick priests by contributing to the annual collection for the Priests’ Retirement Foundation.
Established by the late Archbishop Frank Little in 1990, the foundation enables the provision of comfort and basic health care to retired and sick priests through a network of carers in residential and private accommodation.
In accordance with Canon Law, the Archbishop requests priests to offer their resignation at the age of 75. At the time of retirement, the Archbishop refers a retired priest to the care of the foundation. It is anticipated that an average of six priests will retire each year over the next five years.
In a typical year, the foundation cares for 100 retired priests, 25 per cent of whom have retired before the age of 75 for health reasons.
Priests who are not able to exercise ministry due to criminal convictions or ecclesiastical suspension are not eligible for support from the foundation.
The Archdiocese has two purpose-built retirement homes for our retired priests: Justin Villa in North Balwyn (opened in 1991); and George Maher House in Clifton Hill (opened in 1996). These homes are managed by Catholic Homes. Catholic Homes also cares for our retired priests at Corpus Christi Clayton. The Sister Disciples of the Divine Master began caring for our retired priests in 1970 at our retirement homes.
The majority of retired priests choose to live privately, either in homes they may own (usually from an inheritance) or in rented houses or units. The rent for these is provided by the Priests’ Retirement Foundation.
Some priests choose to become chaplains to convents or other institutions. Parishioners all over Melbourne will also be aware that retired priests often step in for weekend Masses when their own priest is on annual holiday or sabbatical leave. The foundation reimburses travel and other expenses they may incur as they continue in ministry.
To donate to the Priests’ Retirement Foundation, you can contribute to the collection taken up at all parishes this Father’s Day, call 9486 9650, or write to PO Box 615, East Melbourne, Victoria 8002.
EACH year on Father’s Day, Melbourne’s Catholics are invited to remember and support the Archdiocese’s retired and sick priests by contributing to the annual collection for the Priests’ Retirement Foundation.Established by the late Archbishop Frank Little in 1990, the foundation enables the provision of comfort and basic health care to retired and sick priests through a network of carers in residential and private accommodation.
In accordance with Canon Law, the Archbishop requests priests to offer their resignation at the age of 75. At the time of retirement, the Archbishop refers a retired priest to the care of the foundation. It is anticipated that an average of six priests will retire each year over the next five years.
In a typical year, the foundation cares for 100 retired priests, 25 per cent of whom have retired before the age of 75 for health reasons.
Priests who are not able to exercise ministry due to criminal convictions or ecclesiastical suspension are not eligible for support from the foundation.
The Archdiocese has two purpose-built retirement homes for our retired priests: Justin Villa in North Balwyn (opened in 1991); and George Maher House in Clifton Hill (opened in 1996). These homes are managed by Catholic Homes. Catholic Homes also cares for our retired priests at Corpus Christi Clayton. The Sister Disciples of the Divine Master began caring for our retired priests in 1970 at our retirement homes.
The majority of retired priests choose to live privately, either in homes they may own (usually from an inheritance) or in rented houses or units. The rent for these is provided by the Priests’ Retirement Foundation.
Some priests choose to become chaplains to convents or other institutions. Parishioners all over Melbourne will also be aware that retired priests often step in for weekend Masses when their own priest is on annual holiday or sabbatical leave. The foundation reimburses travel and other expenses they may incur as they continue in ministry.
To donate to the Priests’ Retirement Foundation, you can contribute to the collection taken up at all parishes this Father’s Day, call 9486 9650, or write to PO Box 615, East Melbourne, Victoria 8002.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
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