The collection for Retired Diocesan Priests began five years ago and has raised, to date, more than $1.2 million. The collection directly assists the Diocese’s retired priests and also supports the endowment fund established to provide assistance for future needs of retired priests.
At present the Diocese has 42 retired priests, 17 of them are 80 years old or older. Many parishioners are familiar with the priests, because many continue to serve parishes when needed.
“We are trying to support the men who have devoted their lives to service,” said Father Robert Miller, coordinator of the collection and a retired priest. “A lot of these parishes know the priests. They aren’t strangers.”
Currently retired priests depend on their social security benefits and the priest relief fund. Many began their ministry at a time when salary levels were low and so they were not able to accrue enough social security funds to generate enough retirement income.