PLYMOUTH SECULAR CLERGY FUND
The Charity supports priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth by:* the payment of grants to Diocesan Priests in need;* the payment of Allowances to Diocesan Priests, (including former Members), who have resigned from ecclesiastical office;* the provision of assistance, of whatever kind, to relieve Diocesan Priests who are sick, infirm or elderly.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity has unrestricted reserves of £11.7m and available cash balances of £183,045.76, which are sufficient to meet current liabilities. The trustees confirm the charity remains a going concern, supported by an actuarial review that concluded a funding surplus of £9.526m against future commitments.
What the accounts disclose
“Periodic actuarial reviews are commissioned to ensure that the charity remains adequately funded in order to generate sufficient income to meet its future commitments to support priests aged 75 and over who have resigned from ecclesiastical office and its other commitments, without any further contributions being required for those existing members of the charity.”
“During the year The Plymouth Secular Clergy Fund made a grant of £120,000 to Plymouth Diocesan Trust for support of priests and paid £25,000 to the Plymouth Diocesan Trust for various administration support services. During the year a grant of £2,501 was made to a Trustee for dental costs.” — page 26
Trustees
- Canon Peter Morgan
- Fr Albert Lawes
- Rev Brian Kenwrick
- Rev James Barber
- Rev Jonathan Stewart
- Rev Mark O'Keeffe
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £429k | £637k |
| 31/03/2024 | £323k | £512k |
| 31/03/2023 | £372k | £524k |
| 31/03/2022 | £319k | £471k |
| 31/03/2021 | £244k | £422k |
Common questions
Is PLYMOUTH SECULAR CLERGY FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity has unrestricted reserves of £11.7m and available cash balances of £183,045.76, which are sufficient to meet current liabilities. The trustees confirm the charity remains a going concern, supported by an actuarial review that concluded a funding surplus of £9.526m against future commitments. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by PKF Francis Clark.
Charities like this
- PLYMOUTH DIOCESAN TRUST
- SECULAR CLERGY COMMON FUND
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW, PLYMOUTH
- WORCESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE LIMITED
- EAST ANGLIA DIOCESE DEPENDENT PRIESTS' FUND
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY PORTSEA, PORTSMOUTH
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLYMOUTH SECULAR CLERGY FUND | £429k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| PLYMOUTH DIOCESAN TRUST | £7.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SECULAR CLERGY COMMON FUND | £1.7m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW, PLYMOUTH | £504k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WORCESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE LIMITED | £10.6m | above £60,000 | 3 | above | — | no doubt |
| EAST ANGLIA DIOCESE DEPENDENT PRIESTS' FUND | £100k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |