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Just lost your job in the recession? Bishop says it can be a blessing
Paul Waugh13.02.09
A senior Church of England bishop has declared that getting the sack in the recession can be a welcome "relief" from the rat race.
Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres, came under fire from trade union chiefs after he suggested that some of those who lost their jobs "seem to be relieved to get off the treadmill" and to consider the other things in life.
Dr Chartres suggested that the credit crunch could give Britons a chance to "reboot our sense of what a truly flourishing human life consists of".
The bishop, the third most senior figure in the Church, added: "It is difficult to know whether to sympathise more with those who have lost their jobs or those who are left carrying even greater loads with higher targets and fewer colleagues."
But the TUC was sceptical about his remarks today. A spokesman said: "You don't have much time for finding yourself when you're living on £60-a-week Jobseeker's Allowance."
Other Church of England clerics have tried to sympathise with the problems faced by those thrown out of work.
Last month the Church published prayers for the recession that acknowledged the pain and confusion of redundancy, and yesterday Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu expressed his concern for "individual hardship and families in need".
But Dr Chartres said that redundancy could help ease the "crackBerry culture", named after employees who constantly check on work matters using mobile phone devices.
"The 'crackBerry culture' is dangerously addictive and switching off from it is notoriously difficult," he said.
The bishop said his diocese - which covers London north of the Thames, including the City - was trying hard to help those laid off.
Bishop Chartres is paid a stipend of £57,040 a year. However, he and his family live for free in the Old Deanery, a Grade I-listed Wren house next to St Paul's Cathedral.
The apartment was refurbished for him at a cost of £300,000 in 1995.
At the time, DrChartres, a father of four, said the accommodation used by his bachelor predecessor was inadequate and that he needed a larger residence fit for "a public person involved in public life", rather than a "suburban villa" for an "office wallah".
Last month the CofE published a "prayer on being made redundant" that read: "Redundant - the word says it all - useless, unnecessary, without purpose, surplus to requirements.
"Thank you, Heavenly Father, that in the middle of the sadness, the anger, the uncertainty, the pain, I can talk to you. Hear me as I cry out in confusion, help me to think clearly, and calm my soul."
Reader views (41)
From my point of view the Bishop is right...
I'm now very happy (and better off financially) in self employment after being sacked from IT in 2001.
Karen
- Karen, London
What a relief and a blessing it must be to lose your job. And count your blessings when you can't pay your rent or council tax and when the bailiffs come to your home to throw you out. Oh what a blessing. Is this guy for real?????
- Steve, Gloucestershire
What a complete idiot - if his entire parish ended up on the dole he would be out of a job too - legalised beggar
- Wallytrader, London
He is a Right Reverend is'nt he,is this what he did ?
- David,Chertsey, Chertsey.UK.
I the Bishop is right. I also think the recession will bring out better qualites and make people re-evaluate what life is really about. The world and many people (including myself) are too materialistic in todays world.
- Kaz, Surrey
In reality we are not talking about alternatives to the so called crackberry culture,we are talking about mass unemployment and poverty,in a depression there are no alternatives,far fewer opportunities,poverty leads to social exclusion,poor health and a early grave,if you wont a example look at Zimbabwe for one,talk of spirituality is a luxury we can indulge in only from are wealthy privileged comfortable arm chairs.No body is a slave to the crackberry,you decided to take that path and if your not happy with the decision you made, in a time of full employment you can change the path your life has taken,but when there is no alternatives due to mass unemployment and grinding poverty those choices are taken from you,the suicide rate will rise,the crime rate will rise,social unrest will happen etc etc.Look at history the facts are there.All this talk of spirituality is fanciful nonsense.
- Kev, London-UK
"...what does Dr Chartres' salary and the housing arrangements which are part and parcel of his job have to do with this?"
The sentiment is not necessarily wrong, if considered dispassionately. The timing of the comment is decidedly out of step with the distress that many are feeling in the current GLOBAL economic downturn. When there is alternative employment available then there can be alternative perspectives at losing one's job. When there are no, or limited alternates? It is unthinking, inconsiderate, 'just plain DUMB!' idiocy to come out with a suggestion that it is all for the good.
Someone saying what this guy has said from the comfort zone of security of home and salary is entirely relevant when considering the circumstances and the perspective of the stupid man who came out with the platitude!
- Rogan, Irving
He is probably right, losing your job will probably benefit some people.....but in the long run. Now is not the time to say it, now is the time to offer comfort and support.
BTW - clergy are paid by parishioners. If the parishioners have no money, very soon the clergy won't either. And London Diocese has one of the lowest stipends in the UK.
- Wife Of Clergyman, London
Is it not about time someone made this moron redundant. No doubt he's using this opportunity to try and persuade a few vulnerable people into his church?
- Real, London
The bishop was unintentionally too confrontational. He could have simply said a crisis can pull us all up and make us put things in perspective.
It is just a pity that when the pigeons come home to roost they sometimes perch too high.
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Considering many of the lunatic comments by religious leaders, and considering the stultifying effect of some modern work, Dr. Chartres' remarks seem reasonable. He can be forgiven, considering his position, for suggesting that in addition to the practical catastrophes engendered by redundancy, there are subtler matters that we should also address.
Unfortunately, those of us here in the USA who read the right-wing Drudge report get just a typically American sound-bite distortion. The Drudge headline is "Bishop of London Says Losing Your Job is Good for You."
The difference between "is" and "might be" is beyond Matt Drudge. On the other hand, we can all enjoy the irony of Dr. Chartres' own personal comfort. He might want to reconsider whether worry about having digs appropriate to an important figure is in keeping with the professed values of his religion.
- Stephen, San Francisco, USA
Dr Chatres is right - there are numerous people in his diocese who are wasting their lives pursuing careers in the City when their sprititual fulfilment and career satisfaction, for whatever reason, lies elsewhere. I personally know of many people who have been forced to leave their comfortable City careers but who have found fulfillment in other walks of life, where they are not slaves to the "crackberry". This is a reality -- what does Dr Chartres' salary and the housing arrangements which are part and parcel of his job have to do with this?
- Chris Roberts, London
An easy comment for the permanently employed to make.
- Max Leggett, New Westminster BC Canada
What an ignorant, officious and nasty man.
- Philly Prout, Derby
What a horrific miscontrual of this man's message. He is absolutely right. The majority of people who are losing jobs here have been working in the financial industry where 14 hour days and not seeing your children is the norm. I also doubt they are living on 60 quid jobseeker allowance at the moment.
- Sinead, London
After banning its clergy from being members of the BNP, a legitimate political party that promotes English values and traditions, it will not be long before the C of E will be closed down and many of its clergy will be on the dole, then they will be IN the rat race, the irony...
- Brandon Thomas, SW7 London UK
This is very difficult for people to understand and appreciate when they have just lost their job. I have been made redundant twice in my life, and while at the time I was upset and worried, both times I went onto better things. Not necessarly better paid, but more rewarding, and given the choice I would not change anything.
To those you have lost their jobs, remain positive, think outside the box and I wish you the best of luck.
- Jeremy E, London
The only blessing is some people will be better of financially on benefits than if they had a job
- Dave, Expat Spain
blessed are they that do the lord's work.recession and
unemployment have yet to trouble the church. in fact, if anything, such woes are of great benefit to the holy orders as they increase business no end. the homeless, desperate, depressed and suicidal will besiege such establishments for the welcoming hand of advice, wisdom and a good square meal. now is the time for the church and its servants to be seen in their true colours. whatever they might be. let us hope faith, hope and charity are true to word. let not the name of god, whether you believe, or not, be in vain.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk
We should all be that lucky with a job for life!! Blessings cost nothing, your worship, and most certainly do not pay the mortgage.
- Jan Bors, london U.K.
Wow! I was struck by the venom, envy and cynicism spouting from the mouths of some of the people commenting on this article. What a load of cup half empties! I lost my business and found myself landed in £30,000 of debt. And yet I agree with him. For all the money I used to have, my nerves were on a knife edge half the time, the drudgery of the commute, the backstabbing at work, deadlines...argh. He is right. And guess what, I *am* on income support (for the first time in my life). Don't be so quick to criticise. I think he makes a valid point.
- Anon, London
Being out of work and looking for a job is no laughing matter. I remember my experiences from the last recession, and it is meant to be even more difficult now. Unemployment and job seeking is a never ending cycle of letter writing, rejections, arrogant interviewers, and no replies. Maybe the bishop is thinki about another age when you were supposed to make the best out of adversity. Depressingly, that is a luxury few unemployed people can afford.
- Mark Wright, Milan
If I were paid £57,040 a year, lived in a free home and had a job for life I could chuck my "treadmill" too... what a pity I'm wasting my life working two jobs and trying to keep up with the pile of bills on my desk. But thanks so much Bishop for your 'spiritual insight'.
- Pam, Michigan, USA
Can someone please explain to me how it is that when you've been working and paying taxes for years you only get job seekers allowance if you lose your job whilst those who never work get far more. And how long are you on this paltry amount before you're able to claim more?! It is so ridiculously unfair that we pay to support some spongers whow just can't be bothered to work but when we actually can't we are punished for it!
- Kathy, London
Once again we are treated to the thoughts and insights of some one who believes in a god and earns his living espousing that belief but i suppose if you believe god provides all you will not really have much of a gripe on reality.
- KEV, London-UK
I think he is probably right for some people.
- Mike, London
Hello London,
Just stop and think for a moment about what this Man is saying .... In my view if my house was paid for and I had a good savings account and my children were well off and my wife had plenty to spend and I had NO WORRIES then of course YES getting the push would enhance my life and no more tread mill for me ...... if ONLY?.
Will the GOOD LORD help me tomrrow pick my lotto numbers, We can but dream?.
- John.L., Scarborough N.Yks U.K.
SOME might find it a relief but I am certain the vast majority of ordinary Joes and Josephines do not. A man like that should know better than to make such a provocative and inflammatory remark in times such as these. I wonder how "relieved" he would feel if there was any risk of his church being closed down and him being chucked out on the scrap heap. But no chance of that, he's got a job for life, accommodation provided and he doesn't even have to think about what to wear. Cushy!
- Jimmy, Fulham
He is partly right, It has given me a clean sheet of paper to make choices that I wouldn't have contemplated a year or so ago.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
I'm assuming that he is not facing the loss of his job.
- David, London
How dare he, who is meant to comand some respect, make such flippant remarks!
- Ken Joralemon, London, UK
Gary, Casper and Mike, I have just been speaking to a friend who has lost his job and whilst i was worried he reassured me that this has given him a kick up the backside to do something new, he is actually relieved, and you'll notice the bishop says "some people" and in that, he is right.
- Daveb, london
"It is difficult to know whether to sympathise more with those who have lost their jobs or those who are left carrying even greater loads with higher targets and fewer colleagues."
Is he kidding??? Having lost my job, I can tell you I'd rather be one of the ones left behind doing a bit of extra work! So out of touch, it makes me sick.
- Dani, Surrey
What an irresponsible thing to say!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
Perhaps he'd like to trade places with some of those who have recently lost their jobs. I think it would be fairly easy for anyone to do his job if that's what he calls it.
- Pete, Leigh On Ses
He is mad, having lost my job late last year I suggest he tries living on the £60.50 jobseekers weekly allowance with no help for Light,heat gas etc its virtually impossible to eat never mind pay for everything else.
Another out of touch with the real world spokesman
- Mike, London England
Easy for Dr Chartres to say, he has a job for life. Not that he seems to be doing it very well.
- Casper Slides, France at the moment
Losing a job has such "advantageous" benefits as mental health issues, divorce, stress, anxiety, physical and mental abuse of family, and even suicide. Really, people like this, with their guaranteed jobs and houses for life, should live in other peoples shoes for just a day.
- Gary Sangha, London
I wonder if it would be a blessing if the Bishop lost his own job?
The complacency of those in sinecures is quite amazing.
- Gordon M, Gerrards Cross, Bucks
And a relief from being warm, having a safe roof over one's head and eating. I wonder if he opens the doors of his home to those wihtout the luxuries he enjoys, off the packs of his parishoners.
- Helen, norwich
Yes, it would be a relief to get off the rat race and instead contemplate homelessness, how to buy food and pay the endless bills and council tax.
- John, wirral, merseyside
