Clergy 2027 Cost of Living Adjustment

CHICAGO, IL [DOM] — In a letter to Rectors and Parish Councils dated November 1, 2025, Archpriest Herman Kincaid, Chancellor of the Diocese of the Midwest, provides information with regard to the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment for diocesan priests.

“This communication announces to all our diocesan clergy and parishes that the Cost of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for the Priests of the Diocese of the Midwest is set at 3.6% for the year 2027. This should be reflected in all parish budgets for the calendar year. The 3.6% figure is taken from the annual COLA determination made by the Social

Security Administration and can be found on their website: https://www.ssa.gov/cola. Please note that this is to be paid on the total cash compensation of salary (if there is a parish rectory), or salary + housing (if the Priest receives a housing allowance).

“The annual COLA was mandated for the parishes of the Diocese of the Midwest by the 47th Diocesan Assembly (October 2008) in Burr Ridge, Illinois, and reaffirmed in the Diocesan Clergy Compensation Policy adopted on 28 November 2017 and in effect since 1 January 2018. This binding policy may be reviewed online at the following address:…