Leave a Gift in Your Will

Every time someone leaves a gift in their Will to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, they are entrusting us to ensure that it makes a positive difference to our clergy, church communities and to our overarching mission to bring people closer to Jesus Christ through His Church. Every gift, no matter what size, has a lasting impact. We are truly indebted to all those who choose to support us in this way. You gift will have an enduring impact for generations to come. Making provision for the Diocese isn’t costly or complicated. To start a conversation, please get in touch by emailing legacygiving@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Leaving a gift in your will …

• Is an opportunity to leave a lasting mark and express gratitude to God for all He’s given you.
• Cultivates Catholic Stewardship and demonstrates the profound impact a gift can have beyond an individual’s lifetime.
• Supports the Church and local parishes in sustaining themselves for the future.
• Ensures that Catholic values will continue to be present in communities for generations to come.

If you are interested in leaving a gift in your will to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, your local Catholic Church, or one of the Diocesan funds, you can contact the team at legacygiving@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

You may find the below material helpful.

It is always best to seek proper legal advice from a qualified solicitor when drawing up your will or changing your existing will. Below are examples of wording for the different types of gifts which can be left in a Will. As each parish is part of the single charity which is the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth (1199568), it is wise to refer to that charity number in your will. This is to ensure that your gift goes to the correct place.

I give to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, Registered Charity Number 1199568, based at Diocesan Office, St Edmund’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA, the sum of £___________   to meet the ongoing needs of the Diocese.

A gift of a proportion of what is left after all debts, other gifts and expenses have been paid

I give to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, Registered Charity Number 1199568, based at Diocesan Office, St Edmund’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA, ____% of my estate (after all debts, legacies, Inheritance Tax and administration costs have been paid) to be to meet the ongoing needs of the parish.

I give to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, Registered Charity Number 1199568, based at Diocesan Office, St Edmund’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA, stocks/shares/property/chattels to be used to meet the ongoing needs of the Parish.

Whichever form of gift is chosen, the following clause should also be added, as sometimes charities merge or change their legal status and charity number:

If, at my death, the charity named above (Original Charity) no longer exists or is being wound up, my Trustees must:

(a)if the Original Charity has merged, or is about to merge, with another charity (Recipient Charity) and the merger, when completed, is registered in the official register of mergers maintained by the Charity Commission, pay the Recipient Charity the amount specified above as being payable to the Original Charity; or

(b)if clause (a) above does not apply, pay the amount specified above as being payable to the Original Charity to another charity that has objects similar to the Original Charity.

The Government supports gifts to charities by people in their wills and any such gift is free of Inheritance Tax. This means that when your executors are calculating whether any Inheritance Tax is payable on your estate at the time of your death, they do not have to take into account any amount which you give to the Church.

Further information can be found through the Money Advice Service.

If you are administering an estate which includes provision for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth (Registration number: England Registered Charity No. 1199568 Jersey Registered Charity No. 457 and Guernsey Registered Charity), we would be grateful to receive a copy of the Will for our records and to ensure that we carry out the donor’s wishes as they intended.

All legacy payments should be made to the following account:

Account: CDP Legacies Income

Sort Code: 309304

Account Number: 00869741