Home Our Diocese Bishop Malooly seeks support for Priests’ Retirement Fund collection May 18-19

Bishop Malooly seeks support for Priests’ Retirement Fund collection May 18-19

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sesquicentennial
Bishop Malooly celebrates Mass with fellow priests marking the 150th Anniversary of the diocese at the Cathedral of St. Peter March 3, 2018. (Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens)

Dear Friends in Christ,

It is our obligation as a Church family to assure that our retired diocesan priests – who have dedicated their lives to care for the spiritual needs of the Catholic community of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore – are taken care of in their golden years.

While a diocesan priest is in parish ministry, his salary and expenses are paid by the parish. When he retires, the Diocesan Priests’ Retirement Fund takes care of Father’s needs.

After retirement, most of our priests earn supplemental income by assisting at parishes by celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, etc.  But once a priest’s age and/or infirmity limits his ability to assist at parishes, most have to depend solely on the Fund, Social Security, and any other sources that he may have.

Currently about 30% of our diocesan priests are retired with many more either approaching retirement age, or working past 70 – the usual age of retirement for diocesan priests. Seven of our retired priests are unable to live on their own for various physical reasons and require full-time residential care.

The Diocesan Priests’ Retirement Fund will be held in parishes in the Diocese of Wilmington the weekend of May 18 and 19, 2019. The collection began in 2015 to supplement the Fund, due to the continuing need.  I humbly ask you for your prayerful generosity.  Please also pray for our aged priests, and for increased vocations to the priesthood.

May God bless you,

Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly

Bishop of Wilmington