Fund an “act of love” to sick and retired priests

By Veronika Cox

A fund to support retired and unwell priests is a gesture of love from the community, according to Archdiocesan Vicar General Fr Shammi Perera.

The Sick and Aged Priests Fund is a diocese-based initiative that aims to support the material wellbeing of retired and unwell priests who have ministered to the people of God in Tasmania over many years.

Fr Shammi, who is instrumental in his role as Vicar General to facilitate the collection of the fund, said the fund supported priests in several important ways.

“The fund helps to cover the accommodation costs of the retired priests,” he explained.

“It helps to provide them with a small monthly allowance and finally to utilise for some sundry expenses of the retired priests in the Archdiocese of Hobart.”

Fr Shammi said the fund was an act of thanks from the community to the priests.

“It is an act of gratitude and a gesture of love on the part of the community towards their priests who have faithfully served the communities,” he said.

“It gives the community an opportunity to contribute positively to the general wellbeing of the retired and sick priests, after they have enjoyed and been blessed by their priestly ministry.”

The Sick and Aged Priests Fund currently supports around 10-15 priests.