Retired Clergy Survey 2025

In Autumn 2025, a Survey of Retired Clergy was carried out, and the findings were presented to the Bishop’s Leadership Team this month. We wanted to share some of the key outcomes, as we are very aware of the significant and valued contribution that retired clergy make, and have made over many years, to our diocesan family.

We want to emphasise our appreciation for their ministry, both past and present, and to express our gratitude for the prayers, wisdom, and support they continue to offer. We are committed to recognising their ongoing role within our diocesan life and to ensuring they receive the support they need in retirement from licensed ministry.

Survey Results

The survey received 68 responses, a very encouraging response rate, and the insights gathered both supplemented and strengthened the important work already being undertaken by our Retired Clergy Officers and others supporting this ministry.

A strong theme throughout the responses was that most retired clergy feel blessed to continue in some form of priestly ministry. Many expressed a deep sense of lifelong vocation: that although they may retire from a specific post, they do not retire from the calling God has placed on their lives. It was inspiring to see the wide range of activities retired clergy are involved in, including the significant number of services they continue to lead.

Respondents also highlighted the many benefits of retirement, including greater freedom, the ability to say “no”, more time with family and friends, opportunities to pursue hobbies and interests, and a welcome reduction in meetings and administrative responsibilities.

For stipendiary clergy, an important aspect of retirement is finding and settling into a new church community – a place where they feel they belong and are warmly welcomed. This transition is a significant part of adapting to retired life. In contrast, Self‑Supporting Ministers (SSMs) typically remain in the churches they previously served, which can sometimes create pressure to maintain their former workload or take on additional responsibilities.

Many respondents also noted that a good pre‑retirement course had been valuable in helping them prepare for the practical and emotional aspects of retirement. Courses of this kind are available through the Diocese. For details of upcoming opportunities, please contact shaun.reynolds@manchester.anglican.org

Strengthening Support

Work has already been underway to ensure that everyone holding Permission to Officiate (PTO) has an appropriate Designated Responsible Person in place who can offer support as needed. This work is being updated in line with the new House of Bishops’ Policy on Permission to Officiate, and there will be further correspondence shortly with clergy who currently hold PTO.

We remain committed to strengthening the support offered to our retired clergy brothers and sisters. The additional insights and experiences shared through the survey will be built into our ongoing plans to help ensure that retired clergy have an even more positive and well‑supported journey into retirement and beyond.

We would also like to express our sincere thanks to our Retired Clergy Officers – Revd Judith Cooper, Revd Roger Dixon and Revd Reg Sinclair – for taking this work forward.

Further Support and Advice

If you are a Retired Clergy member and would like support or advice please do contact our Retired Clergy Officers retired@manchester.anglican.org or the Bishop of Manchester’s Senior Chaplain Revd Canon Anne Edwards bishopschaplain@manchester.anglican.org