In a gentler, more gracious age clergymen saw their jobs differently. As well as officiating at Sunday services - and giving long and boring sermons - it was part of their duties to marry people, welcome new born's with christenings - and bury the dead. At none of these was it etiquette to mention money !
There was a delightful protocol about delivering a reward. When a wedding ceremony ended the best man discreetly handed over an envelope. It contained money - and the amount depended on circumstances. If it was a rich family the honorarium might be substantial. Lesser budgets produced lesser amounts - and in some cases the very poor may only have included a note of thanks - but no person was refused service because of inability to pay.
How things have changed. Approach a Priest, Minister of Rabbi today and you will very firmly be advised of " the fee " ! In some cases, that will be required " up front " before the ceremony and any form of haggling is looked upon with contempt.
The church has become a " business " and today clergymen are becoming adept at maximising returns. There are now a range of " extras " that can accompany the basic service and all of these carry a premium.
Clergymen will point out the rising cost of living, but it must be remembered that the church is exempt from council rates and charges - and it's activities are tax free. Churches are an enterprise that would have most business people salivating.
Perhaps hiked fees are one of the reasons many people have opted out and engaged the services of a celebrant - although in this commercial age it seems that the fees of both celebrants and the clergy bear a striking similarity.
It seems to illustrate the truth of that adage which proclaims " there is no such thing as a free lunch ! "
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