MORE than half of clergy wives have suffered from work overload and feeling isolated, according to new research. The study, due to be published next month, highlights the extent of their involvement with parish ministry and the level of the challenges they face.

As an increasing number of clergy wives are choosing to work to support their husbands financially, the book, We’re in This Together, found that over a third of them say that finding the right balance in their married life is their biggest challenge. Based on a questionnaire sent out to clergy wives across the UK, the research revealed the key role they play in their husbands’ work and church communities with nearly three-quarters providing hospitality for the church and nearly half providing support for church women groups. The same percentage give their time to children’s groups, while 39.6 per cent provide counselling and 35.7 per cent are involved in speaking engagements.

Christine Perkin, who is involved with running clergy wives’ groups, welcomed the research for drawing attention to the challenges of the role. “The workload is enormous and it is hard as there’s no sense of completion. It is continuous, never-ending work,” she said. “This job is not neat. The hours are not neat. It makes it very demanding. Any job to do with people is tough, as you can’t switch off easily.” Mrs Perkin, who is married to the Rev Paul Perkin, Priest-in-Charge of St Peter and St Paul, Battersea, said that there were many ways clergy wives who were involved in the church community, including toddler groups and running courses, especially on family issues.

With 56 per cent of the respondents saying that they felt isolated, Mrs Perkin stressed that “friendship for people in the ministry is not a luxury but a necessity”. She added that it was important for clergy wives to allow people “to see us warts and all”. “We need people to see that we’re hurting and have problems. We’re just like anyone else.” Nearly 500 women responded to the questionnaire.

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