Even doing God’s work doesn’t get you free parking at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) anymore.

Clergy who are consoling the sick and dying will soon pay the same parking charges as anyone else.

For many years the clergy were able to park for free while visiting the hospital. Two years ago the LHSC asked them to buy a subsidized parking pass for $50 a year.

Then, last week, clergy were warned the subsidized pass will be eliminated, effective April Fool’s Day.

But it’s no joke to faith leaders who believe their volunteer visits help the sick heal and console the souls of the dying.

“It devalues the work we do . . . it’s a slap in the face when they say we’re not important enough that they should pay for our parking,” said Rev. Keith Nethery of St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church.

He said it’s not unusual for clergy to spend many hours with a critically ill person and the cost of the parking will get passed on to the member of their parish being ministered to or to the member’s faith community.

Rev. Keith McKee of St. George’s Presbyterian Church said the elimination of free clergy parking appears to be a revenue grab by the hospital to pay for new parking garages.

McKee said he typically visits people in the hospital about twice a week. Some are from his own congregation, some are strangers from out of town.

“It’s an isolating and lonely experience to be in the hospital. The patients often brighten up and talk to you,” he said.

He noted imams from the Muslim community also provide translation services for patients, along with spiritual support.

Tony LaRocca, LHSC vice-president community and stakeholder relations, said hospitals don’t get money from the province to pay for parking facilities. Capital costs for parking have to be paid through parking fees.

It couldn’t be determined Friday how much LHSC is saving by ending subsidized parking to clergy.

Even when clergy parked for free, the lost revenue was still tracked by hospital officials.

Although the hospital no longer offers free or subsidized parking to clergy, LaRocca said, their work is important.

“The value they (the clergy) bring is absolutely recognized. We have to address our realities in a way that continues to serve our patients well,” he said.

The LHSC has its own spiritual care team led by Rev. Warren Litt, an LHSC employee, who works with chaplains of various faiths.

There is also a list of about 30 “community partner” clergy members who are on call on evenings and weekends to supplement the full-time chaplains.

LaRocca said clergy on the on-call list of community partners will continue to get free parking.

He admitted the hundreds of priests, ministers, rabbis, imams and First Nation faith leaders will have to pay full price for parking.

He said when the subsidized parking pass was offered two years ago most clergy chose not to buy one. He said that’s an indication they didn’t visit often enough to warrant buying a pass.

“Everyone understands the pressures hospitals are under,” LaRocca said.

Nethery said many patients prefer to talk to the clergy person from their own congregation.

“When someone is dying in hospital they want their parish priest. I understand the financial pressure, but they have to respect what we do.”

hank.daniszewski@sunmedia.ca

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By the Numbers

$50— current annual cost of subsidized parking pass for clergy

30— approximate number of clergy community partners who will continue to get free parking

LHSC parking rates

$4 first hour

$2 each additional half-hour

$12 maximum