CHURCH leaders have been accused of cutting corners by getting lay people to do the work of priests to save cash.

The move is part of efforts to develop the role of lay members in the Durham diocese of the Church of England by, working alongside ordained clergy.

The diocese admits that financial constraints are forcing a reduction in parish priests, but has rejected claims that the greater use of lay people is a form of ministry on the cheap.

The Northern Echo reported on Wednesday how a shortage of priests meant many parish posts were being left unfilled for up to two years.

Derek Jago, who represents the Durham diocese on the Church's ruling General Synod, said they had no shortage of candidates coming forward to be ordained, but there was a reluctance to spend money to appoint them to parish posts.

He said: "What the church is doing is saying they may require a priest, but they haven't got the money to pay them.

"Where there is an obvious need for a priest they should place a priest there, without having first to think about the finances."

He said lay readers were being encouraged to play a greater role.

He said: "We're being told that we will have to look at different ways in which we can help ministry in the diocese, which seems a little bit like ministry on the cheap."

Lay readers are licensed to a particular church, but Mr Jago said they were now being asked to take services at other churches.

But the Reverend Stephen Conway, spokesman for the Bishop of Durham, said the greater use of lay readers was part of a move away from the dominance of ordained clergy.

He said: "The church is discovering the true role of lay people - it is not about ministry on the cheap, it is about celebrating the ministry that is there."

He said financial pressures meant the number of parish priests in the diocese would reduce by about five a year, from its present 235, for the next five years.

"There isn't a bottomless pit of money and we need to manage our resources responsibly.

"We have as many clergy as we can afford.