Frequently Asked Questions

Clergy Trust is comprised of four individual trust funds:

  • The Clergy Benefit Funding Trust
  • The Clergy Medical/Hospitalization Trust
  • The Clergy Retirement Trust
  • The Regina Cleri Trust

These Trusts finance the health, wellness, and retirement benefits of all active and senior priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB) who are in good standing.

Effective July 1, 2010, Clergy Trust was established with an independent Board of Trustees comprised of local business leaders and members of the clergy who oversee the Trusts. Clergy Trust is managed on a daily basis by an Executive Director and staff at the Pastoral Center in Braintree.

Currently, there are 512 diocesan priests in good standing (314 active and 198 senior) in the Archdiocese who are eligible for benefits.

“Senior priests” refers to priests who are no longer on active assignment within the Archdiocese. Although priests may request senior status beginning at age 75, we do not refer to them as “retired” because many continue to serve in ministry and fulfill their lifelong commitment to their vocation well past the age of 75.

While many priests take a less active position in their senior years, they still fulfill an important role in enriching the spiritual life of their local community. They celebrate Mass at parishes throughout the Archdiocese when called upon, bring Holy Communion to the housebound and sick, and offer an ongoing source of wisdom and support to those that they encounter throughout all of their daily activities.

Senior priests at Regina Cleri are also on-call 24-hours a day for Massachusetts General Hospital, serving as a visible sign of God’s presence among us during life’s joys and sorrows. This ministry is valued deeply by patients and their families who turn to their priests during some of life’s most critical circumstances when support is most needed.

Three annual parish collections (at Easter, Christmas, and in September), as well as the annual Celebration of the Priesthood event comprise 60% of the funding for Clergy Trust. The remaining 40% of the funds come from a medical insurance assessment for all active priests, paid for by the parish or organization to which they are assigned.

Benefits available to eligible diocesan priests include: medical and dental coverage; a Comprehensive Emotional Wellness Program; support and maintenance of the Regina Cleri Residence; stipends, housing and retreat allowances for senior priests.

In 2008, Cardinal Seán O’Malley made the financial stabilization of Clergy Trust one of his top priorities. Clergy Trust is managed in a fiscally responsible way to allow for current and future sustainability. Through continued fiscal discipline, Clergy Trust seeks to generate a surplus that will allow it to fund future benefits for our retired priests and continue to keep our promises to all priests.

Stability of Clergy Trust was made possible by a variety of factors. The use of government programs to which all priests are entitled, such as Medicare and Medicaid, reduced overall expenses significantly. The addition of a third collection in September as well as the annual Celebration of the Priesthood event also increased the revenue.

James MacDonald

  • Current Senior Advisor, Fidelity Investments focusing on strategic initiatives.
  • 20+ years as Executive at Fidelity Investments with a proven track record of developing strategies and growing businesses, while delivering long-term financial performance in highly competitive markets.
  • Many years in technology including Athena Health, State Street Corporation, and Bank NY Mellon
  • Longtime parishioner of Holy Family Parish, Duxbury
  • BS, University of Massachusetts; The Wharton School Executive Development Program, University of PA

Rev. Thomas S. Rafferty

  • Ordained a Priest in May 2005
  • Currently serves as Pastor of St. Oscar Romero Parish in Canton, MA
  • Prior assignments include: St. John the Evangelist Parish, Swampscott, St. Patrick Parish, Natick
  • Before entering the seminary, Fr. Rafferty earned his law degree at New England School of Law and worked many years as a lawyer
  • Undergraduate degree from Boston College

Rev. J. Michael Lawlor

  • Ordained a Priest in May 1973
  • Currently serves as Pastor of The Church of St. Paul in Hamilton, MA
  • Prior assignments include: St. Joseph Parish, Needham, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Lynnfield; St. Ann Parish, Peabody; St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, Danvers; St. Theresa of Avila, West Roxbury
  • Has served on the Archdiocese’s Presbyterial Council, the College of Consultors, the Board of Trustees for Saint John Seminary, and several other Archdiocesan committees

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Congratulations!

The Clergy Trust Team and Board of Trustees thank Cardinal Seán for his unfailing commitment to his brother priests and his enthusiasm in working with laity over the last 20 years, creating a lasting legacy on the Archdiocese of Boston and the future care of our clergy.

For his loving ministry, his servant leadership, and his gracious collaboration, we are eternally grateful.

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