Nova Scotia to review unpaid priests.

Bishop Fred Hiltz of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will stop ordaining non-stipendiary priests pending the outcome of a diocesan review.

"We're at the 10-year mark (with non-stipendiary priests) and it's appropriate to look at where we are, where we've been and where we are going with it," he said. "I basically said I would not accept any new candidates while we were going through this process." He said he expects a report for synod in May.

Bishop Hiltz noted that expectations for non-stipendiary priests are different than for paid clergy. "Many are self-supporting, have jobs, with limited time. Their ministry finds expression in the liturgy, and some aspect of parish life," he said.

Non-stipendiary clergy are trained differently than stipendiary priests in his diocese, he added. Training includes a mix of the education for ministry program as well as certificate programs of the Atlantic School of Theology. After taking courses, candidates for non-stipendiary clergy status have to follow a reading and "formation" program.

Difficulties can arise, Bishop Hiltz said, when a priest is moved and the new rector must work with a non-stipendiary priest who is already in place and had developed a strong working relationship with his or her predecessor.

"Non-stipendiaries are locally raised," he said. "Rectors come and go, while the non-stipendiary stays." He added: "The new person must be prepared to work as a team with the non-stipendiary. Generally they understand, support and uphold one another. That's not to say that we haven't have some challenges."