School chaplain fired for defending right to question LGBT policies loses wrongful dismissal case

A school chaplain who was fired for defending the right to challenge new LGBT policies has spoken out about his fears about freedom of expression after losing a wrongful dismissal case.

Reverend Dr Bernard Randall told students they were free to object to the measures, particularly if they felt they went against Church of England principles.

But the school, Trent College in Nottingham, which has a long Anglican tradition, decided his preaching was harmful to students, secretly reported him to the Prevent anti-terrorism program – which normally identifies those at risk of radicalization – and fired him later.

Last night, Dr. Randall, 50, described losing his case as a “blow to free speech and Christian liberties”.

He told The Mail on Sunday: “It’s also a personal blow. We’re going to appeal, so it’s taking up even more of my life. But it’s just a fight in the war to preserve the freedom of speech and liberal values ​​that built our country.

FIGHTER: Dr. Randall said he will appeal the verdict

Last night, Dr. Randall, 50, described losing his case as a “blow to free speech and Christian liberties”.

“There is a bigger cause here and I will keep fighting as long as I am able. Being on the front lines of the Kulturkampf is hard work and costly. But we must not give up because of a setback.

“I want the children and grandchildren of our generation to grow up in a society where the truth about the ugly divide of identity politics can be preserved.”

After his release, he received a flood of support from parents, alumni, and the public. A retired archdeacon wrote: “You have been treated in a manner that is absolutely despicable. I found your address in the chapel gracious, thoughtful and perfectly appropriate.’

But he received no support from the Church of England hierarchy, whose silence last night was described by activists as “appalling”.

The sermon of Dr. Randall, held in the school chapel in June 2019, he says was cause for concern among students about one of Dr. Elly Barnes-led organization called Educate & Celebrate (E&C), which was invited to “build gender, gender identity and sexual orientation into the fabric” of the school and help “develop an LGBT+ inclusive curriculum for the whole school”.

He said in his homily: “You shouldn’t be told that you have to accept LGBT ideology any more than you should be told that you have to be for Brexit or you have to be Muslim.” to treat with respect”.

During staff training, Ms. Barnes had encouraged staff to chant “Smash Heteronormativity,” which Dr. Randall, a former Cambridge University chaplain and Oxford graduate, described as bizarre.

He said in his homily: “You shouldn’t be told that you have to accept LGBT ideology any more than you should be told that you have to be for Brexit or you have to be Muslim.” But he stressed the “need to be with each other to treat with respect”.

But after a hearing at the East Midlands Employment Tribunal, Justice Victoria Butler said it was “simply an enthusiastic attempt by Mrs Barnes to warm up teachers at the start of the day”. Judge Butler noted that the Church of England cites E&C as an approved “source”.

During investigations by the school and the diocese, Dr. Randall reiterates that his beliefs on marriage and sexuality were based on the public liturgy of CofE, specifically the Book of Common Prayer, and canon law, which states that marriage “is in its nature a permanent and permanent union for life…of a man with a woman”.

However, Judge Butler pointed out that Dr. Randall “misunderstood” what E&C is and that he “reacted extremely” to her involvement with the school.

She said, “We have seen and heard no evidence that remotely supports the plaintiff’s view that E&C would indoctrinate students in this way.” Referring Randall to the terror supervisor was justified “from a protection perspective.”

The complaints of Dr. Randall’s charges of unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and victimization were all dismissed.

Andrea Williams, executive director of the Christian Legal Center, who handled the case of Dr. Randall said, “The message of this ruling to Christians is that you cannot contradict or reject LGBT doctrine — you must adhere, celebrate and promote it.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk