A retired Derry priest has questioned the benefit of a survey that details priests’ pay.
Fr George McLaughlin (pictured), who recently celebrated 60 years in the priesthood, was speaking the following publication of the first ever survey of priests’ pay.
He spoke out after it was revealed Derry priests are among the worst paid, but Fr George McLaughlin (84), who now lives in Greencastle in Inishowen, has questioned the need to disclose the figures.
He said: “What’s the purpose of publishing the money like this?
“I don’t think it serves any benefit, to be honest, to publish these figures. It wasn't done in my time.
“Each diocese makes its arrangements with the priests, so the pay for a priest in Donegal could be miles apart from Cork.
“In the past, each parish paid its priest, but about 30 years ago this was changed so that the diocese made the arrangements.
“The diocese would work out an adequate remuneration for the priests.”
The priests’ pay survey was published by the Irish Catholic.
It said its figures “allow for a comprehensive comparison” of all the salaries of priests in Ireland.
The survey – which includes the Dioscese of Derry – shows a huge disparity in the pay of priests around Ireland.
It found that the lowest pay was in the Diocese of Derry where the minimum payment for a priest is listed as £8,640 sterling or €11,664.
At the other end of the scale, the highest paid priests can be paid €33,960 per year in the Diocese of Clogher, which takes in Monaghan, Fermanagh, Tyrone and some of south Donegal (including Bundoran and Pettigo).
Among the parishes Fr McLaughlin ministered in the city were St Mary’s in Creggan and St Patrick’s in Pennyburn.
He was among the clergy to attended to the dead and dying on Bloody Sunday and was a celebrant at the funerals in the Creggan church..
He also gave evidence to the Saville Inquiry.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.