What is the difference between a Rector and a Vicar(if there is ANY)?
Also, I presume the word Parson is just a slang one for one of the above?
In A Pickle Wed 13/08/08 22:12
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It is all very historical and somewhat complicated.
Rector and Vicar are now more or less the same. But in ye olden days, Rectors and Vicars were employed and paid differently.
Rectors were supported financially by tithes from the Parish - a tithe is a tenth share. Rectors got larger shares than Vicars. Now of course they receive stipends. Some Churches retain the old titles of Rector or Vicar to this day, but they are exactly the same.
Also, in ye olden days, Rectors were chosen by the Patron of the Church - usually the Lord of the Manor, whereas Vicars were appointed by the Bishops and Church Council.
I've just found this, which you may find interesting.
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/Misc/Defi nitions/Church.html
Parson is not a slang term by any means. It is interchangeable with Vicar and Rector, but in the Church of England is usually used to show deference to a Vicar of another denomination - Baptist or Methodist, for example, or can be used when referring to an unknown Vicar of a different parish.
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Question Author
Thanks Ethel,
It was only a small point,but had been bugging me! LOL
Your link was MOST interesting(and not only about Rectors and Vicars).
So it looks as if (in the old days at least) that Rectors had security of tenure in their job,and Vicars didn't.
I never knew the Church hierachy was complicated!
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Arn't methodist and baptist preachers known as pastors and not parsons Ethel?
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You're welcome, In A Pickle. The whole history of the CofE is very interesting - if your'e interested in that sort of thing.
Wizard, they are known as Pastors within their own churches, but CofE clergy and parishioners would have referred to them as Parson in years gone by.
And of course, Padre is a clergyman within the Armed Forces, a commissioned officer.
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Ethel, you're a hive of information, how do you do it?
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Everyday on here is an education...although some things I'd rather not know :o)
Thanks for asking this Pickle I've been meaning to look into it myself as my elderly neighbour always uses the word parson when referring to vicars.
(hope you're well - and you too Ethel)
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To a non believer, it all serves to make the church (or should I say churches) more ridiculous.
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