Building a Home for Retired Priests

By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/23/03)

It is estimated that over the next 25 years, more than 40 diocesan priests will reach retirement age. In an inquiry made before the start of the diocesan Capital Campaign, 88 percent of the laity, and 81 percent of clergy polled thought that building a retirement home for priests should be a priority of the bishop.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde feels that one of his obligations as bishop is to take care of the needs of diocesan priests, even after they have retired. Because of this, $5 million from the "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope" campaign has been designated to establish an assisted living facility that would provide not only housing and meals, but opportunities for fellowship among priests.

Father Daniel Maher, diocesan episcopal vicar for finance, said the retirement home will relieve priests of pastoral responsibilities of being on call, but still give them the opportunity to continue to be "ministers of the Gospel to one another and to the faithful according to schedules of their own determination." The retirement home would relieve them of the "on-call" responsibilities of a parish priest.

Currently, there are 13 priests who have retired in the diocese. Of these, four reside at parishes, seven live alone or with family, and two are in institutional care. Retired priests would still have the option of living alone or with family members, but the availability of a retirement home would give priests another option after retirement, giving them the chance to remain more connected to the diocesan community.

As well as being convenient for the priests, a retirement home may, in the long run, save the diocese money. Retired priests who are living alone receive a stipend for food and housing. A stipend is also given to parish rectories where retired priests reside. By offering a community home where retired priests could live together, the diocese is approaching a more economical solution for caring for the priests.

There are a few empty properties that are being considered for possible renovation to serve as a home. There is also property near St. Michael Church in Annandale where a new structure could be built.

The facility will house at least 10-15 priests. Empty rooms at any given time could be used for priests in need of temporary housing.

A subcommittee of the Priests’ Retirement Committee is currently being formed to develop plans for the retirement center. Father John J. Hughes, retired and living in McLean, has been named the chairman of that committee.

Members of the committee will include both priests and laity, with experience in the fields of architecture and engineering, legal counsel, nursing and medical care and facilities management.

There are two retirement homes for priests in the diocese. Retired Missionhurst priests reside at Dominion House in Arlington, and retired Third Order Regular of St. Francis priests reside at Sacred Heart Friary in White Post. Both of these homes have been visited by members of the committee to examine the facilities.

The subcommittee will begin meeting early this year with the bishop to propose the best location for the new facilities, the desired size of the building, the kind of facilities that will be needed and the budget required for the project.

Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.