On Monday the Church of England’s General Synod voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Private Members Motion supported by over two thousand clergy.  As the campaign built over the spring and early summer over 700 priests signed a letter to the Church Times led by Rev Marcus Gibbs, and an unprecedented 192 members of the synod signed the request for a Private Members’ Motion in record time. 

Following the spring campaign, the Church of England Pensions Board and Archbishops’ Council brought proposals to the General Synod to correct many of the current historic clergy pensions injustices – in particular the restoration of the accrual rate from ½ of the stipend to 2/3rds, as well as a significant increase in the stipend itself, and thus a corresponding increase in the pension.  Following this, a Private Members Motion brought by Rev James Blandford-Baker, a vicar from Cambridgeshire, and amended by the Ven Adrian Youings, endorsed these proposals wholeheartedly as a significant and immediate step towards correcting an historic injustice. It also called on the Pensions Board to recompense those who have already received pensions lower than they otherwise would have been since 2011 and called for an independent review into clergy pensions, to ensure the system is fit for purpose for the future. 

Issues that were highlighted specifically as needing review included the risk of the inbuilt reliance on the State Pension to provide a final third of the payments. The issue of housing provision in retirement was raised, as well as how the range of clergy roles and types of service have changed dramatically over recent decades, with many clergy having portfolio roles, or taking part time roles in order to care for family members. 

Over the course of the campaign many shocking stories of some of the clergy impacted by the current pension provision had been heard, and more stories were shared during Monday’s debate.  The vote was a counted vote of the whole synod, with 328 members for the motion, 0 against and just 3 abstentions. 

Rev Blandford-Baker said ‘Synod have seized the day to right an historic wrong and create a clear path to a clergy retirement which is just, sustainable and dignified; where those who have given themselves in the service of Christ and his church can continue to flourish.  We are so grateful to them, to the wider campaign of clergy from across the Church who have shared their stories and spoken up, and to the Pensions Board and Church Commissioners for listening to them.’