2004 Annual Report of the Clergy Relations Committee

The Clergy Relations Committee met (Oct.) to discuss appropriate changes in the stipend schedule, to be effective in 2005.

The committee’s recommendation called for a CPI-based increase in the clergy starting stipend to $27,350; 3-year increments; a parish-size increment; and a housing allowance.  The above increase was about 2.4 percent, representing the increase in CPI-W over the 12-month period ending Sep. 2004.

The stipend for deacons-in-charge was increased to $26,325, using the same percentage increase.

The committee continues to request that the Diocesan Council maintain the $500 life insurance premium reimbursement feature of pre-2000 policy as a grandfather provision for clergy, who prior to 2000 had arranged for their own individual life insurance coverage.

The committee began to explore an endorsed retirement vehicle for clergy, to help them invest retirement funds and accomplish retirement income goals.  At the same time, we have begun to discuss the merits of a Diocesan-sponsored, defined benefit retirement plan for clergy, that could supplement or replace a portion of the current retirement contributions required through the Stipend Schedule.

We met with the Diocesan Council (Dec.) to apprise it of our work regarding the retirement program, and to solicit feedback; we will continue to inform it of progress.

Personnel: The following served on the Clergy Relations Committee in 2003: Thomas Garabedian (chairman), Keith Bilezerian, John Amboian, and Fr. Aved Terzian.  (Fr. Michael Devejian terminated his service as a result of his relocation.)