Bishop ‘Disappointed’ with Outcome of Sexual Discrimination Tribunal
The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, has expressed his disappointment after an employment tribunal found the Diocese of Hereford had discriminated against a gay Christian by not appointing him to the post of Youth Officer within the diocese.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2007, 8:46 (BST)
The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, has expressed his disappointment after an employment tribunal found the Diocese of Hereford had discriminated against a gay Christian by not appointing him to the post of Youth Officer within the diocese.
John Reaney, 42, claimed that Bishop Priddis had asked “intrusive questions” about his previous gay relationships in a two-hour meeting in 2006, bringing him to the point of tears. The hearing then heard that Bishop Priddis blocked Reaney’s appointment, despite his being the leading candidate for the job, ahead of eight other applicants.
The employment tribunal ruled that Reaney, from Colwyn Bay, Conwy, was discriminated against “on grounds of sexual orientation”.
Bishop Priddis said he was disappointed by the tribunal’s decision but not completely down. “The tribunal accepted that I did not ‘interrogate’ Mr Reaney and that I had acted in accordance with the teachings of the Church of England.
“It also recognised that the post of Diocesan Youth Officer falls within the small number of posts outside of the clergy which are within the religious exemptions of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.”
Mr Reaney said he was delighted with the ruling and that the case “demonstrated to many lesbian and gay Christians working for God within the Church of England that they are entitled to fair and respectful treatment".
His case was supported by gay rights group Stonewall. The group’s Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said the verdict was "a triumph for 21st Century decency over 19th Century prejudice".
"The tribunal has rightly made clear that the Church of England cannot discriminate against gay people with impunity. No-one, not even a bishop, is exempt from the law,” he said.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Bishop Priddis said: "I still think the decision I made was the right one."
"I regret the polarisation of view which takes place when these things happen," he said. He also affirmed that the decision had only been made after a "great deal of prayer and contemplation".
The Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship also expressed its disappointment at the ruling.
“At first sight this judgment appears to be a serious affront to the freedom for churches to guarantee that their children and teenagers are being taught by people who are living according to the Bible’s clear teaching about sexual morality,” it said.
“The law is shifting rapidly so that where there is a ‘competition of rights’ it is the homosexual’s right that trumps the Christian’s right. This is a situation that needs to be reversed. At the very least, our law should recognise conscience exemptions for Christians so that they can live according to their faith.”
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, July 20, 2007, 17:46 (BST)
Dear Editor of Christian Today,
May I suggest that you and the journalist commissioned to cover this story be more careful in the choice of words used to report an article like this.
The employment tribunal had not 'found' the Diocese of Hereford discriminating against a homosexual man, rather, it gave its view, opinion or ruling that discrimination was to be the verdict.
The word 'found' carries with it a measure of certainty, and so if the Bishop had been 'found' to discriminate on the suggested grounds, then the verdict was fair. Whereas, we know from his testimony that the tribunal chose to ignore his statements and so make an unfair and discriminatory ruling...
Yours sincerely
stephen, london, uk
Added: Friday, July 20, 2007, 14:09 (BST)
This country which was once a christians country and enjoyed God's blessings has now turned its back on God and the teaching of the bible. All true christians must pray and plead for God's help at this time of nation need.
Mamie Freitag, Stockton
Added: Thursday, July 19, 2007, 22:26 (BST)
Dear God,
We as a world, have gone astray. Please Lord, forgive us, for we know not what we do. We as Christians have allowed satan to take over this world and allowed sin to control us to the point, that many of your children approve of it. We need you in our hearts more then ever, Lord. Your word, the Bible, as been made into a mockery and your believers have been made out to be the evil ones for speaking the truth. You said they would despise us because we love you. Come Lord, Come. You took my beatings. You carried my cross. You hung on my cross. I was not there for you when you were there for me. Forgive me Lord.
Signed, A Bible believer
David Groebner, USA
Added: Thursday, July 19, 2007, 16:14 (BST)
The interview entitled "Homosexuality: The Christian Perspective" by Lehman Strauss , Litt.D., F.R.G.S. (found at http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1302) provides a good understanding of the Christian statement on homosexuality. Whatever 'new thoughts' or 'laws' or even legal judgements made such as this that gives permission to homosexualiy is fundamentally denying a direct, unequivocal and unambiguous command of God. Do we really dare to be wiser than God himself?
Simon, Cambridge, UK
Added: Thursday, July 19, 2007, 13:10 (BST)
A horendous decision. I cannot believe how the government is allowing the law to surpress the beliefs of the institution that is central to its morals and foundations. Homosexuality is a sin - it is plain in black and white in the Bible. Of course discrimination is bad...but this is not discrimination - it is like making a person who cannot read an English teacher!! More erosion of the Christian rights in this country. The government is actively helping us become a Muslim nation, and forgetting where it came from!
Jim Brudock, London
