a) Licensed clergy
- My expectation is that most stipendiary priests will retire by the time they reach 70 years, and that they and self-supporting priests and distinctive deacons who offer to provide ministry beyond that age will normally do so on the basis of PtO rather than a common tenure licence.
- Where pastoral circumstances justify this, I am prepared to consider directing that a priest or distinctive deacon’s licence be extended on an annual basis beyond the age of 70. I will be guided by the advice of my episcopal colleagues in each situation. I will not issue such directions as a matter of course, nor should there be any expectation that I will.
- A particularly compelling case would need to be made for an extension of licence beyond the age of 72. It is highly unlikely that I will issue a directive for anybody over the age of 75.
b) Ordinands and potential ordinands
The expectation in this diocese is that stipendiary priests will retire by the time they reach the age of 70, and that they and self-supporting priests and distinctive deacons will normally offer ministry on the basis of PtO rather than licence after they reach this age. Given that it is only possible to be ordained onto a licence, the normal expectation is that the following age limits will apply to candidates expecting to offer ordained ministry.
Candidates over the age of 50 who are recommended for training for ordination will ordinarily complete a programme of formation and learning at a Theological Education Institution (TEI) for a maximum of two academic years. If recommended for ordination and offered a Title Post in the Diocese of Lichfield, assistant curates serve under Common Tenure in a time limited post for 4 or 5 years depending on the category for which they have been sponsored (Incumbent or Assistant). The following age guidelines therefore take the period of Initial Ministerial Education and Curate Training into account in determining the maximum age at which a candidate may be ordained deacon.
Incumbent ministry:
- Candidates offering themselves for stipendiary incumbent ministry will not normally be sent to a Stage 2 Discernment Panel beyond the age of 58.
- Candidates offering themselves for self-supporting incumbent ministry will not normally be sent to a Stage 2 Discernment Panel beyond the age of 63.
My expectation is that, if ordained in the diocese of Lichfield at the age of 65 or beyond, candidates might offer a minimum of 0.5 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) during their title post. This is to ensure that an assistant curate has sufficient time to complete IME2 prior to reaching the age of 70 and moving to PtO.
Assistant Ministry:
- Candidates offering themselves for stipendiary assistant ministry will not normally be sent to a Stage 2 Discernment Panel beyond the age of 63
- Candidates offering themselves for self-supporting assistant ministry will not normally be sent to a Stage 2 Discernment Panel beyond the age of 65. My expectation is that, if ordained in the Diocese of Lichfield at the age of 65 or beyond, candidates might offer a minimum of 0.5 FTE during their title post. This is to ensure that an assistant curate has sufficient time to complete IME2 prior to reaching the age of 70 and moving to PtO.
Where significant pastoral circumstances justify this, I am prepared to consider sponsoring a candidate at a later age. I will listen to the advice of the Vocations Officer in making this decision. I will not make such a decision as a matter of course, nor should there be any expectation that I will do so.
c) Potential Lay Funeral Ministers, Readers and Readers in training
- Given that the expectation in this diocese is that most Readers and Lay Funeral Ministers will offer ministry on the basis of PtO rather than licence once they reach the age of 70, and given the need for a period of initial ministry (of at least one year) post-licensing, the normal expectation will be that candidates expecting to offer Lay Funeral or Reader ministry will need to be licensed and admitted for the first time by the age of 69.
- As they will need time in discernment and training before licensing, this means that candidates will not normally begin training beyond the age of 67 (Readers), 68 (Lay Funeral Ministers)
- Where significant pastoral circumstances justify this, I am prepared to consider sponsoring for training and/or licensing a candidate at a later age. I will listen to the advice of the Vocations Officer in making this decision. I will not make such a decision as a matter of course, nor should there be any expectation that I will.
- It is highly unlikely that I will allow a candidate to begin training beyond the age of 70.