Our retired religious

Richard A. Sokerka

In 1988, bishops of the United States launched the Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) to address the significant lack of retirement funding for sisters, brothers and priests in religious orders.

Since 1989, more than $718 million has been distributed to religious communities across the nation. More than $84 million has supported efforts by religious congregations to stabilize savings and to develop comprehensive retirement strategies.

This year, the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 12-13 in parishes across the Diocese to support our senior religious whose communities lack sufficient retirement funding.

Last year the faithful in the Diocese, contributed $312,083.36 and religious orders in the Diocese received back more than double that amount —$655,406.57 — in financial assistance from RFR.

The deficit in retirement funding can be attributed to three primary factors: insufficient retirement savings, rising health-care costs and declining income. Traditionally, women and men religious worked for little pay. Today, a majority of religious orders lack adequate savings for retirement. At the same time, the cost of health care continues to skyrocket, as older religious both outnumber younger religious and are living longer.

Statistics show that there are more than twice as many religious past age 70 as under. By 2025, it is projected that religious past age 70 will outnumber those under age 70 by roughly four to one. Income will continue to decline as more religious reach retirement age and leave compensated ministry. So the need is indeed great.

More than 93 cents of every $1 donated to RFR aids senior religious directly; less than 7 cents of every $1 is used for promotional and administrative expenses, so know that your donation is going directly to help those who helped to form your faith.

Generously remember these religious sisters, brothers and priests when the collection is taken up in your parish next weekend.