Vicar's employment tribunal could change clergy practice

A vicar is attempting to make legal history after he was driven out of his parish.

Reverand Mark Sharpe is attempting to have his complaints against the Church of England and his claim for constructive dismissal heard in an employment tribunal.

The Reverand, who maintains that he is an employee of the Church, was allegedly forced to leave his Worcestershire parish after his family suffered years of harassment without clergy support.

Lawyers for the Church of England claim that the clergy are office holders and not employees. Consequently, they are not subject to the same laws as workers.

If Reverand Sharpe is successful, he could pave the way for further employment tribunals and force the church into following UK employment laws, including minimum wage, anti-discrimination requirements, health and safety, whistleblowing and flexible working policies.

When the case began in 2008, the Church conceded that ministers were employed by the Church and not God.

Published by Phil Hammond