Subsidising churches
Martin Sullivan
The question of state aidfor historic churches is being raised again. -The General Synod of the Church of England is suggesting a modest subvention of £1 million a year. I am delighted that an approach is being made to the Government, but I fear that such a i tentative overture might, if it s granted, defeat the purpose its promoters have in mind. It smacks too much of a charitable hand-out Which will not deal effectively with the problem and may indeed limit action to this figure for some time to come. Even if the amount were to be increased in the future the same criticism applies. The issue is a. very simple one. Is
the state prepared to grant substantial. financial aid to maintain and restore the fabric of historic churches? I envisage a scheme Whereby subsidies could be paid on the basis of a £1 for £1 or better still £2 for £1. Opportunities must be left open for individual parishioners to contribute, although many of them are already faced with the cost of ordinary maintenance, salaries, heating, lighting, cleaning and the rest, and these charges are a heavy burden on them. At this point the Church of England should be challenged to set an example. Its endowments relieve parishioners of the burdens they might otherwise be expected to carry. Many church stipends are either paid in full or supplemented by endowments. Those which remain at low levels Flo so because church people make Inadequate attempts at augmentation. If dioceses and parishes were to pledge some amount in freewill Offerings to match the bounty they receive, an entirely new and optimistic atmosphere might be created. God helps those who help tneinselves, and so sometimes do Governments. What churchmen raised in this way they might consider giving to the poor and needy across the world. No precedent would be created if PUblic monies were to be used to hell) historic churches. The four Cathedrals (York, Westminster Abbey, Canterbury and St Paul's) Which have been involved or are ah. out to be involved in appeals, either have been helped by or will from direct financial support n'oM county councils and municipalities. There have been no objec!Ions by ratepayers to these gifts. rhese great places and others like them belong to us all, and more and more are used to express the joys and sorrows of men and women of all faiths. They stand as bastions of the Christian faith and powerful reminders of man's true values. State aid means that my mite grows in proportion as I give, and! am not thus prevented from mak !_ng a personal contribution. There are those who fear that the state will make severe demands for
conformity to planning regulations and may indeed encroach on ecclesiastical preserves. I for one do not share these anxieties. To submit our architectural schemes td an independent tribunal may be no bad thing.
The machinery which it will be necessary to set up could be quite simple and might follow the pattern of the University Grants Committee. This was in fact the suggestion of the late Hugh Gaitskill when he examined this question. As the Dean of a Cathedral I welcome all the help I can get to enable me and those associated with me to look after one of the nation's treasures.
Martin Sullivan is Dean of St Paul's
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