Clergy ‘set on pedestals’ to be knocked off

The mental health of clergymen is being damaged by the “poisonous” expectations of congregations, the Church of England’s General Synod has heard. Introducing a report on clergy well-being, Canon Simon Butler said people “set us on pedestals only to rejoice in knocking us off...treating us as amateurs in a world of professionals, expecting a perfection in us that hides great hypocrisy in others”.

Mr Butler, vicar of St Mary’s church in Battersea, west London, also said priests have “insecurities and immaturities too, which we often hide behind the role we inhabit”.