The Reverend Mark Sharpe, a vicar in the ‘toxic parish’ of Hanley, Broadheath, Worcester, who says he was forced out by parishioners who slashed his tyres and poisoned his dog, goes to employment tribunal.
Wow, do you reckon that the Reverend Mark Sharpe might be a crap vicar?
Vicar sues church over bullying claims
A vicar from Worcester is taking his diocese to an employment tribunal over claims he was forced out of his “toxic parish”.
The Reverend Mark Sharpe said he was retiring on health grounds after being bullied by parishioners who poisoned his dog and slashed his car tyres.
The union Unite said there was a 40-year-history of clergy leaving abruptly or in poor health.
The Diocese of Worcester said it denied any claims his family had been bullied.
Mr Sharpe, a former naval chaplain, won an employment tribunal against the Ministry of Defence for a sexual harassment case in 2006.
He was given an undisclosed pay out for claims he was subjected to pornography on board HMS Albion in 2004 and left his post after two weeks.
‘Climate of fear’
He then took up up the role of the vicar of Teme Valley South ministry in 2005, from which he resigned in September 2009.
He said: “My family and I have been living in a climate of fear in a supposedly rural idyll.
“There have been too many incidences of harassment over the last four years for them to be the odd coincidence.”
“My career has been ruined, my health and that of my wife and children has been shattered and my family has suffered terribly from all the strain,” he added.
He moved his family out of the rectory in Hanley, Broadheath, Worcester, earlier to an undisclosed address in the UK.
Unite said when the diocese appointed him it knew he was moving to a “toxic parish” and had failed to exercise a duty of care towards him.
Mr Sharpe said when he took on the role only one out of the four parishes he was responsible for was registered as a legal entity.
And here is some more from Worcester News
A VICAR who claims he was forced out of his home by a four-year campaign of intimidation by villagers has accused Church leaders of leaving his family “to rot”.
The Rev Mark Sharpe cannot bring himself to set foot in a church because he says the Diocese of Worcester washed its hands of him when he and his family became a target for abuse by his own parishoners.
But the diocese denies all Mr Sharpe’s allegations and says he is only leaving his home because he has resigned.
The father-of-four claims he has had car tyres slashed, excrement smeared over the family car, broken glass strewn over his drive, his pet dog poisoned and his central heating oil stolen three times.
He also says the family have been sworn at, their post tampered with and the internet and phone connections cut since they moved to the Teme Valley South Ministry in January 2005.
Mr Sharpe, aged 42, was due to leave the rectory at Hanley Broadheath near Worcester today having resigned as vicar.
Unite, the union which represents faith workers, has called for the resignation of the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev John Inge and the Rt Rev David Walker, the Suffragan Bishop of Dudley, for failing to help him in his time of need.
Mr Sharpe and his family today moved to rented accommodation elsewhere in Worcestershire. However, he declined to reveal where for fear the attacks on him and his family would continue.
He said: ‘My career has been ruined, my health and that of my wife and children has been shattered, and my family has suffered terribly from all the strain.
“I need the Church to compensate us for the damage it has caused so we can rebuild our lives. The bishop of Worcester won’t even meet with us. He leaves us to rot.”
Unite has blamed what it calls “a culture of neglect and bullying” within the Diocese of Worcester and has called for the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Rowan Williams, to set up an immediate investigation.
Rachael Maskell, Unite’s national officer representing the community and non-profit sector, said: “This is a toxic parish with a 40-year history of clergy leaving abruptly or in broken health.”
Unite had been negotiating a settlement for Mr Sharpe, who has been off sick suffering from stress since April 2006.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Worcester said: “The Bishop of Worcester is disappointed and surprised that Unite has deemed it fit to go to the press over this matter, which is listed for an employment tribunal hearing in May 2010, an adjournment previously having been agreed between the parties at the request of the Rev Mark Sharpe’s solicitors due to, among other things, his ill health.
“It would be wholly inappropriate to comment upon a case which is yet to be heard by the employment tribunal and will be before an employment tribunal on the basis that the Rev Mark Sharpe’s allegations including that with regard to a culture of neglect and bullying or otherwise, are wholly denied.
“The Rev Mark Sharpe and his family have not been forced to leave the vicarage. He has been given time to find alternative accommodation since he decided to resign.”
Gosh, I bet the Diocese are glad he’s going….but not as much as the parishoners by the sound of it 
Tags: Church Life
December 16th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Many are called but few are chosen.
Seems like very, very few will be chosen in Mark’s former parishes. Is not Christs example all that one needs? And exactly what would Jesus do if he lived in the same parish? One for those parishoners to meditate on methinks.
December 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
GREAT MOMENTS IN CHRISTIAN BLOGGING:
“Wow, do you reckon that the Reverend Mark Sharpe might be a crap vicar?”
I do so respect you, Christians, just brimming with compassion and love for each other (I now understand that “crap vicar” is a well-understood appelation of affection among the your elect).
Thank goodness your avatar, Charles Spurgeon, has convinced you that God will save the ungodly. even smug Christian post-modern bloggers !
In contrast to the deal you guys have apparently cut with the godhead for universal and/or indiscriminate salvations, among us pagans, internecine bitch slaps (e.g., “crap vicar”) usually result in fairly prompt karmic retribution.
I am so jealous.
I want some of that kool-aid you been mainlining to license my rude behavior, too !
December 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Criticism noted and accepted. You’ve made me feel bad now and rightly so.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
You know I noticed the ‘Crap Vicar’ line and to be honest I wasn’t exactly sure if it was a joke or not. It kind of stunned me to the extent I didn’t even mention it in my first post.
Well done Fra Savanarola for not letting that pass – and fair play Mr. Webmaster for accepting the critiscism.
However Fra Savanarola not all Christians are merely Sunday morning Christians (ie they have the rest of the week off!), some actually try to do as Jesus did. And yes karmic retribution, kismet whatever you want to call it has just played out as you posted and pricked his conscious.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
“Criticism noted and accepted. You’ve made me feel bad now and rightly so.”
Oops, sorry.
That was not at all fair of me.
I was feeling snarky today and I just took it out on you as the first, and most convenient, target I came across.
I thought you posted and interesting, funny a great article and your prompt about whether he was a “crap vicar” was actually my first reaction, too.
I’ve been in six US Episcopalian parishes and in every one there has been a fight, sometimes vicious (including dead animals on the front porch, really), and in almost every case the issue was pre-existing (e.g., old anglo-catholics vs young families with zero doctrinal interest) or institutional (homegrown parish priest vs diocesean apparatchik).
And, except in one parish, the local rector was ill-equipped to handle it and eventually he was ground up in the multi-party slugfest and hung out to dry.
The Parish of Hanley, Broadheath, Worcester (that’s too many names for my taste) sounds like a black hole that should be shut down for a year or two for the parishioners to just get over themselves or for them to stop pretending that they even resemble Christians and go ahead and convert their church building into a pub and cage-fighting venue.
But I’ve got no dog in this hunt.
After decades as a RC and an Episcopalian, I became a Buddhist 40 years ago (regrettably, I have proven to be every bit as bad a Buddhist as I ever was a Christian; I’m sort of hoping that the reincarnation thing allows me, when I come back as a chimpanzee or poodle, to make a better go of it next time).
Nonetheless, I should disclose that I do attend weekly bible study and weekly mass at my local Episcopal Church because there really is no substantive difference in its operational theology and the deconstructed dharma of the most popular form of american buddhism I follow (Buddhism and Christian existentialism are kissing cousins bound in an illicit relationship).
And, perhaps much more relevant to this semi-rant, I read your blog DAILY (dare I say, religiously?), because it is almost always a font of intriguing, provocative, and informative news and opinions about stuff I, and I bet lots of other people also, think matters.
So keep up the good work and don’t get too down when someone like me snaps at you (for every catty remark like mine that shows up in this space, there are a thousand grateful readers of any particular article).
Was it Jesus (or deutero-Paul) that said the cranky nut-jobs of the world will always be with us ?
Namaste Pax Vobiscum Ubuntu
December 16th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I found it interesting was although he claims upline were aware of the ‘toxic’ parish, which of course the dicoese deny, So I wonder why upon embarking at the beginning in his appointment as Rector in 2005, did the Rev Sharpe say..
“So far I have to pinch myself every morning when I think that I am now the Rector in such a beautiful place working with such warm and enthusiastic people.”
Rev Mark Sharpe quoted from the press release – http://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/media/press_releases/05_dw004.php
I wonder where it all when wrong??
December 17th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
There is such a thing as the offence of the gospel and it may well be that the Rev. Mark sharpe is detested for preaching the same. Far too many congregations have been left for long periods of time to run their own affairs. Then when a cleric comes along to lead, they resent him taking over.
Provided a cleric is prepared to be no more than a puppet and preach only what such a congregation wants to hear, all well and good! But speak on repentance and the need to personally commit ones self to Jesus, and you could well be hounded out of your parish!
What is worse, the average bishop who may well have climbed the hiearchic ladder by soaking up to congregations, is not likely yo take sides with a lone cleric who is subordinate to him! I’m not saying that this is relevant to the Rev. Mark Sharpe’s situation, but it could be very near to the problem.
Jesus did say: ‘You will be persecuted for my sake and the gospels. He said: ‘Woe unto you when all speak well of you!’ The ones who brought about the crucifixion of Jesus were not the humble folk who heard Him gladly, but the religious hierarchy of His day. The eastern shepherd always led his flock – unlike the western practice. St Paul said: ‘If called to be a leader, then you must assert your leadership!’ The alternative is that forceful little clicks out to cause trouble, have their way to the detriment of the lesws pushing majority.
The Bishops of this unfortunate Cleric’s diocese, surely need to be pulled over the coals. However, if they are lesser reflections of their superior, then I think waffling with academic jargon difficult to decipher or comprehend, will save their bacon. I hope I am not being unecessarily uncharitable!
December 17th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Of course the Rev Mr Sharpe initially called his parishioners warm and enthusiastic people.
That’s exactly what priests are supposed to say about the people in the pews of their new parish, even when every cleric within ten dioceses’ range knows that those particular parishioners’ primary allegiance is to the prince of darkness.
It just wouldn’t be polite (or fiscally prudent) to call them out for the rotters they are on day 1.
Church happy speak can be a temporary palliative for some folks, but, in the long run, this kind of meltdown in a noxious little detour like the parish of Hanley is all but inevitable.
And my, hasn’t the diocese and its comfortable, gracious, thoroughly tasteful (the local widows all agree), precious, and grossly negligent leadership (yo, Bishop, anybody home?) shown its true colors in all this (“allegations of …bullying or otherwise, are wholly denied” – in the CofE dead dogs and slashed tyres are apparently now accepted liturgical practices).
down, down, down into a burning ring of fire
December 18th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I not only live in the Parish, but was on the original selection Committee when he was appointed, and he misrepresented himself right from the start, and lied about his reasons for leaving previous jobs. I can’t prove that the allegated incidents didn’t actually happen, but I believe totally that it is all lies. We went to a huge amount of effort to make him welcome, even digging the garden for him before he moved his family in. He then made the Parish Room of the Rectory almost out of bounds, and made us feel most unwelcome visiting the Rectory. He never did any visiting, or taking communion to housebound parishioners. His last act as our vicar was to not turn up to a funeral service, at which the undertaker had to officiate.
December 18th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Hi Gill, thanks for that comment. I did notice that the Diocese seem to be taking a very ‘hands off’ approach to this, they don’t exactly seem to be running to his defense.
December 18th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
No, we’ve been asked by the Bishop to keep quiet for the last 3 years, and being nice people we’ve done that and not defended ourselves because that was supposed to be the dignified way to behave, but now that he’s been in the Press again having his final fling, I hope, we are all feeling that enough is enough. We have had some marvellously supportive retired clergy looking after us in the interim.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
The Rev Sharpe is not the only one!! My husband was vicar in a similar toxic parish 10 years ago, till the hostility drove him out to seek a change of career – he has never dared complain of this officially, such is the culture of hush-hush and denial in the Anglican hierarchy. They would rather sacrifice a good man than face up to the screaming dysfunction of the individual toxic church. Good on the Rev Sharpe for bringing this issue out into the open!
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I am also a parishioner of Hanley and I understand that Mark left the police force after being injured on duty and that he was awarded a ‘pay out’ because of this. I further understand that he left the navy and received a ‘payout’ from them, these claims were substantiated and he was awarded these payouts !!
Mark took up his post as Rector in the parish and settled down to his idyllic rural lifestyle.
Within a short time he complained of harassment from the parishioners. I must ask myself why would the parishioners of such an idyllic parish who welcomed Mark with open arms as their rector suddenly embark upon such a course of action. In respect of this alleged harassment, I understand that the police attended his home and took details but to date no one has been arrested or summonsed for these alleged acts.
I myself am not a regular churchgoer, do not know Mark very well and have no alliegance to either side, nothwithstanding that comment I understand that Mark stated that he suffered abuse from the parishioners. I know of no parishioner that has committed such acts nor has the inclination to do so. Mark has also stated that he wants compensation from the diocese to help him and his family rebuild their lives. Some of us have problems in our lives that cause us anxiety and WE have to rebuild our lives, however we do not seek compensation from others to do so., we just get on with our lives as best we can.
I understand that he needs to rebuild his life after leaving the parish.clergy but how will compensation in monetary form help, surely it is their wellbeing not their bank accounts that need rebuilding.
Mark also states in national newspapers that he has been evicted at Christmas, Mark has known for some considerable time (2-3 years) sice he declined to take on further duties and informed the diocese of his displeasure and discontent, that his free accommodation at the rectory was coming to an end so why did he not make arrangements sooner?
As regards a 40 year history of rectors suffering similar harassment, all I can say is that I believe there have been at least 5 rectors of the parish over the last 40 years they will state that there life in the parish was an enjoyable time and that they did not suffer any such similar incidents and found the people of the parish to be ‘normal’ parishioners and not the ‘bullies’ that Mark has branded them,
As a final comment, it appears to some that the church/diocese/bishop have been quiet in refuting Mark’s statements, some may think this is beacuse they are guilty of neglect in respect of Mark and his family. The rule of law in this country means that whilst Mark can make as many allegations as he wishes the church/diocese/bishop have their hands tied as they cannot make statements without prejudicing their case in respect of the forthcoming tribunal. Perhaps we should wait for the outcome of the tribunal before criticing them and perhaps the matter can be settles once and for all.
I wish Mark and his family every happiness in their future life and hope that they find peace in their new home.
A parishioner
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
To A Parishioner, you say “As regards a 40 year history of rectors suffering similar harassment, all I can say is that I believe there have been at least 5 rectors of the parish over the last 40 years they will state that there life in the parish was an enjoyable time and that they did not suffer any such similar incidents and found the people of the parish to be ‘normal’ parishioners and not the ‘bullies’ that Mark has branded them..”
Unfortunately this doesn’t actually stack up as a further report in today’s Times has quoted some of the previous Rectors and that is not what comes across. Also, although Rev. Sharpe has had employment ‘issues’ before, 14 priests in 40yrs for a rural parish does actaully suggest there are problems there.
Perhaps all involved in this need to meditate further on their actions.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Gill speaks of parishioners being denied access to the ‘Parish Room’ in the Rectory. The point of a Rectory is that it is first and foremost the vicar’s family home. No one has a ‘right of access to it’. This vicar has a family and a right to a family life – something parishioners are always tempted to forget. Most clergy work long and unsociable hours doing an essentially undoable job for little remuneration and sometines even less thanks. You break the European working time directive and still all some people can see is what you haven’t done for them.
I love Jesus. I love my job as a vicar, I love my parish. But I look at someone like this poor man and think ‘there but for the grace of God’. I too have seen good priests destroyed by toxic parishes.
As for failing to show up at a funeral… could it be that the poor man was having a breakdown at the time? No priest I know would willingly cause distress to a bereaved family.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am
In reply to Red, you say ‘further report in today’s Times’. Surely you must know that sensationalism sells papers not facts. Perhaps you should visit the parishes that Mark was the rector of and see for yourself what wondersul and unselfish people there are in the parishes.
It seems that most of the country are taking the facts of this case from the reports that they read in various newspapers. Surely this is not a sensible thing to do. As an old tutor of mine once said ‘Facts dear boy, Facts’ I have always found this sound advice and have always based my comments on facts not third party comments made in a newspaper. This is why I can state without any fear of contradiction that the people of these parishes are kind an unselfish.
I leave you to ponder your unfounded remarks.
December 24th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/974330.ive_had_nuisance_calls_and_a_prowler_its_very_sinister/
The story above seems to be very similar to the one being discussed. It however is dated October 2006. So he has being living in his so called ‘toxic parish’ for three years just lying around contacting the press and being bullied by his parish?
The first question is what is the average age of people who go to church? In my parish the average age is above 60. So are these OAPs coming up to his house and rubbing excrement everywhere and slashing tyres ? I very much doubt it.
He contacted the press the day he moved out (with the photos ready). Are these really actons of a ill man, or a man trying to get as much attention as possible? (taking into account the church cannot comment due to it not wanting to jeopardise the tribunal)
This case does show how nieve the church is, it should have at least taken some references.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/5356822.stm
So he has had two previous jobs, One for being a dog handler bitten by a dog and the other being due to pornography in the navy.
You have to give Mr Sharpe credit, he will have most certainly gained a pension from the church, and if his tribunal goes well he will be getting more money. add that to the comensation from being bitten by a dog and his £50000 from two weeks in the navy. Seems like Mr Sharpe has made some decent money (if not very dishonestly)
The problem with cases like this is that the media always stands up for the smaller party, no matter how uncreditable their story is.
I was always told to check sources before making a opinion on matters, just looking briefly into this I can see that I have little faith in Mr Sharpe or his story.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:07 am
This is a statement that we have been asked to spread around: “The Rt. Rev’d Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, would like to show his care and concern for the people of Teme Valley South following the recent publicity given to unfounded attacks on them in the media.
As he said in a recent press statement, he has been very impressed by the gracious and dignified manner in which these parishes have dealt with these dreadful allegations.
Following his visit towards the end of December to Hanley Broadheath, he is now coming to lead a service at St Peters Church, Stoke Bliss, on 3rd January. After the service the Bishop will be available to meet and talk to as many people as possible about their concerns.”
December 28th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Well said James. Perhaps people ought to take note of what James says. There are more underlying things going on here that most of the readers of the newspapers wish to see.
Let’s analyse what James said:
1/ Did Mark stay in the free house and did his children go to a local Public school, both funded by the church for around 3 years after ‘stopping’ acting as a rector — YES
2/ Did the average 60 year old church goer visit Marks house and smear excrement, poison his dog, steal his heating oil and slash his tyres — I would think not
3/ Was the photo call on the day of his move out of the rectory staged to attract as much attention as possible. As Mark has not acted as a rector for 3 years why was he wearing the rectors clothing which he so much despised for the photo shoot so I would say — YES
4/ Has Mark received payouts from the Police and the Navy — YES
5/ Will he receive a payout from the church — Possibly depending on the outcome of the tribunal
6/ Has the press and media reported ALL of the facts or just chosen to report the facts that make a good story — I know my answer
7/ Have all the people that do not live in the parish and have an opinion on this case been in posession of ALL the facts before they comment — Probably not
8/ Have I checked out the facts before commenting — As I live in the parish – YES
9/ As the police have all the details of the ALLEGED crimes have they arrested anyone for any of these alleged crimes — NO
10/ Do I believe that Mark’s story is factual and truthful — NO
December 28th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Thank you, parishioner. If Mark was so frightened of us, why did he not take up the several offers to help him move house ages ago?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Hello, I hope you don’t mind me joining in. I’m a Guardian journalist and have been asked to take a look at what has (or has not) been going on at this parish. I’m keen to talk to anyone who can speak to me about it. If you don’t want to give me a name and wish to speak anonymously, that’s fine. My e-mail is steven.morris@guardian.co.uk
Best wishes, Steve
January 8th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
There are folks who ‘take a sickie’ in every profession. They’re always the ones who have have filed multiple grievances, have a long history of bad relationships with superiors and co-workers, take more time off ‘sick’ or ‘stressed’ than anybody else. They are poor sad people and were they to set the bar for labour relations or, in this case, parish relationships then we’d all be stuffed. I’m coming up for my 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood this June. I have had a city church and three country churches. All of them have had two or three characters who could make your life miserable “if you let them”. So you don’t let them. You straighten your back, you set boundaries and you get on with the job.
The fact that the man in question has had two pay-offs from two careers, has been off sick since April 2006 (!) and is complaining that he has to move out of the vicarage and is now finally surrounding himself with the ‘professional mourners’ of the trades union Unite who are paid *not* to look coldly and dispassionately at situations but to fight their client’s corner whatever the situation is is shameful. I’m ashamed that he’s getting any press. I’m ashamed that 2500 of my brother/sister clergy can stomach the idea of a priest being a member of a trades union and want to play both sides of the fence – office holder & employee – in order to feather their nest more effectively. It’s incredibly difficult to get rid of a bad vicar – far too difficult. Let’s not see the worst of them further insulating themselves from a degree of accountability that most people take for granted in the workplace.
January 9th, 2010 at 10:45 am
In fact, Padre, he is not only using the union to try and get his third payout, but the union are backing him and funding him because they want to use this as a test case to prove that clergy are not self employed, but are workers of the church and can therefore claim compensation for whistleblowing etc.
We’ve had some lovely interim priests, who have all tried to communicate with Mark Sharpe but he wasn’t open to reason.
January 9th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Hi Gill, there is most certainly something to your comment, as I posted a headline about the Clerical Union ‘Unite’ and they kept harping on about this vicar, as proof that bullying of clergy is ‘rife’, even though, the case has not yet even come to court:-
Bullying of the clergy is “rife” with priests and vicars routinely picked on by their bishops and parishioners, according to Unite who are calling for greater protection.
This is a good response to the Union from a Vicar:-
UNIONISING TURNS CLERGY INTO POSTMODERN VICTIMS
January 10th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Well I hope that those who get involved in Unite have better luck than I did. When I was in great difficulties being bullied in a toxic parish where the Secession Clerk had wrecked the two previous ministers, I contacted Unite. Apart from taking my subscription they did precisely nothing.
Eventually I was hung out to dry by the Presbytery Clerk who was inadequate, and had to take early retirement.
January 10th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I gather Mark has done it again – fooled three parishioners into following him back into the Rectory (because he had no right to be there) and then mocking up an incident. Incidentally, we get quite a nice press in this week’s Church Times!
January 10th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Jesus said “Let him who has not sinned throw the first stone”. These awful things are happening to the Rev. Sharpe’s family. Fact – Whoever is doing this whether locals or just hooligans. They are sick. Who blocked the family in, not letting them out of the property when they went to remove their curtains. At the same time hurling abuse both verbal and otherwise.
As a Christian I am aware, very much so, of the Holy Spirit working in my life. If Christians would read their bibles, they will notice even Jesus was attacked by satan himself. Did this only happen in Jesus’s time. No satan lost his battle when Jesus died on the cross for all our sins. He then rose from the grave and by the grace of God we are forgiven. We are now righteous in the sight of God our Father. Unfortunately hundreds of people are not aware of this and allow satan to control these stupid and very upsetting actions. It is happening not just in other parts of the world e.g. China Korea and Africa but in Great Britain. – Persecution. For God;s sake please stop the stone throwing and have compassion for this family.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Well said ‘Committed Christian’. After all the previous mud slinging, your letter is a healthy breath of fresh air. May God give all power to your pen!
January 10th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
That would make more sense if any of it happened! Unfortunately, Mark Sharpe made it all up, and we are the ones who have been turning the other cheek and tryng to maintain our dignity for the last 3 years.
January 10th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I’m slightly worried that here we are getting into an area which is Sub Judice. Many of Gill’s comments are surely ones which are at contention in the forthcoming case.
The reason why I am contributing to this discussion is because I am concerned about the position of clergy as office holders and not employees At the minute they do not have any real protection.
Now I know that there have been discussions between representatives of the faith communities – for this one goes further than Churches, and the DTI about how the position of religious professionals can be protected. In the Church of Scotland there has been an undertaking to provide at least as good protection to ministers as is provided by the civil laws.
The reason for this concern is that the Church of Scotland can exercise justice independently to the courts of the land. However it is dubious if whether the provisions of the Act of Parliament which acknowledges this position would be acceptable to European Human Rights legislation. A successful challenge to behaviour of the Church of Scotland at Europe – and there already has been a successful challenge and partial defeat in the House of Lords, would cause extreme difficulties with the whole self understanding of the Kirk as it is based on the concept that Christ alone is head of the kirk and that he has given jurisdiction in the Kirk directly to the Kirk.
Personally I have great doubts whether the Kirk is capable of providing the level of protection which religious professionals require. The question is not in the minutia of what happened in a parish which may or may not be toxic, but the whole question of how Christians work when they have fallen out so that there is real justice for both parties. The position is that the adversaries are generally on one side a group of people for whom religion is a hobby and who may want the Church “their way” and a professional who has been called to serve in an area. There may well be tensions over someone who for example may preach a Gospel which is too challenging for some, or seek to bring people into the fellowship whom those who are already there may be uncomfortable with or any of the other classic causes of tension between the professional and the rest of the Congregation
January 13th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I appreciated Committed Christians comments Most people seem to have taken their eyes off of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for a while.. Jesus prayed that His love would be shed abroad in our hearts .. He is so fulll of Grace and love and mercy, He died not to condemn us but to save us. There is NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS. Romans 8 v 1
we should not hold others under condemnation either. The way we judge others will fall on us.
There is no place among Christians for gossip or slander, rather pray one for another. This is an opportunity for everyone, whatever your feelings, hurts, self-righteousness or other. To put it all aside and ask God to work through you in His love and mercy for His glory. Reach out in Love.
January 14th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
In reply to your comment Theophilus (Name meaning – Lover of God I believe) Also to others writing on this blog.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
May the Lord bless each and every one of you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you HIS PEACE now and always.
January 16th, 2010 at 3:05 am
Thank you “Committed” . I do like that hymn. The verse starts off ‘Oh soul are you weary and troubled’. It seems like there are a lot of weary troubled souls. I pray you will be aware of God’s love for each one of you. Als be blessed like “Committed” has prayed for you.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:36 am
The only reason I have been reading these offerings is that a friend wrote and told me of their troubles in the village. My first thought was that it takes an extraordinarily good man to be a good vicar, and that there are not many extraordinarily good men. Second thought: What happened to “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us”. There are times that we all, laity and clergy, forget that we are supposed to be fighting the good fight, and expect a rose garden. And most of us underestimate the power of Satan to disrupt the preaching of the gospel of salvation. He must be pleased with himself. Time, surely, to stop considering mans shortcomings and get back to praising the Lord!
January 18th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I thoroughly agree Lonaroma. God Bless you
January 25th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Is Steven Morris of the Guardian still viewing our comments?
If you are and you would like to do some digging around. There was a rector in the northern town of Woodleigh, believed to be in the Cumbria area, whose children went to a public (funded) school in that area. It is alleged that this rector’s wife attempted to or did in fact sue the school over a matter concerning health and safety in the school.
It may be a coincidence but I believe that a former rector in the Hanley parish was a rector in that area and I further believe that his wife is a health and safety consultant.
January 25th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Thank you, Lonaroma. We aren’t spending all our time worrying about Mark – he’s gone, and we’re looking forward to what comes next, praying for help, and getting on with our worshipping and church life with our brilliant Priest in Charge. Some of us just needed to get it off our chests after living with the problem for so long.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Thanks Laorama for getting us back to praising the Lord.
Parisioner, again you are looking at people and not at our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ without whom no man can stand.
The Lord shared something with me once to keep my focus.
“Where are your eyes my child, Keep them on me,
Where are your eyes my child, Don’t let them be,
Looking at earthly things, they only bring strife,
Where are your eyes my child, I give you life!”
God loves you so much just enjoy Him.
And to Gill, I’d say the same thing. Your ‘brilliant Priest in charge”, no matter how good he is, is only human.Allow him to make mistakes occasionally too and be very supportive.
God loves us all and His mercy and Grace toward us never fails.
Hallelujah!
March 5th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Does any one feel bullying and threatening behaviour is acceptable? I am just curious as if this was to happen in any other employment situation (which this person is!) then obviously they would and should be protected by employment law, or are we in the dark ages?
March 5th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
That is why the union are backing him to use him as a test case at an industrial tribunal.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
This is the issue which I was wanting to discuss but it was blotted out with people covering the issue with a kind of rather empty piatism.
The big question is to what extent the clergy are employees. Technically they are office holders (alternatively their employer is God) however you put it they are not covered by employment legislation.
In Scotland there is an additional problem in that the Church exercises a jurisdiction which is independent of the State.
The question which Malcolm is asking however is really how clergy are treated by their local management. Now people can sing as many choruses as they want and seek to take the moral high ground, but when a Minister is being damaged by members of his or her congregation and even where they live is threatened they need a rather more substantial support than platitudes.
Bullying is of course unacceptable, and personally I would like to see those who do it or who permit it being done being personally liable for damages.
So Malcolm, the answer is that we are probably in the dark ages. Now if the case is heard then we have established that there is light at the end of the tunnel (the actual desist of the tribunal is immaterial, what is important is if tehy accept jurisdiction.
March 7th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
It is such a shame that in the established churches Christianity has so often become submerged under “churchianity”. Which is nothing to do with employment legislation, but may well be part of the problem.
March 7th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I agree totally, the problem is that this threat is about a minister who has gone to an employment tribunal.
If you look carefully at how the discussion has developed we have the rather questionable comments about someone who seems to be in the anti camp. I have concerns about this. I don’t see the detail of the case as being relevant. We have those who are wanting to remove this from the practical level into the spiritual one. I don’t believe that this is of any real relevance. Christians should love one another and there should be perfect harmony in the Church at all levels. It is quite clear that there isn’t.
This discussion is how this can be dealt with effectively when internal Church procedures either have failed or have been operated in an unjust way.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Many years ago I worked alongside a friend who had been through a Missionary Training College. They had been warned that on the mission field their problems generally would not come from those who they were hoping to convert to Christianity, but from within their own ranks: Satan knows all our weaknesses, and exactly where to aim!
March 8th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Seumas interesting to read your comments. I applaud your concern for clergy who seem to have no protection. I say seem to for the Lord reminds us that vengeance is His and He will repay. I have personally seen the Lord undertake and bring frredom to someone who was being unjustly accused of preaching contrary to what seemed to be acceptable. The accusations were false and even thought they reached a government level the person was exhonorated. Those who brought false accusations within a year had moved on, lost jobs etc. Although we would never wish this on them the Lord did bring about justice. It may seem like no one is on the under-dogs side sometimes, but we are never without the protection of the Lord.
Practicality with spiritual emphasis is true wisdom, practicality on it’s own is weak. God bless you and thanks for bringing these matters to the fore. Hopefully some one will be helped.
In Hebrews 13 v 5 & 6 we read that ‘God has said He will never leave us or forsake us, so we can confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper, why should I be afraid. What can man do to me?” ‘
March 8th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
In the mean time, during that year the minister in question lived in a cardboard box as their house went with the job and they starved because they had no money? Come on get a life.
Evil men can quite literally put a minister out on the street. It is not so bad for yourself, but it is tough on the wife and kids.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Mark Sharpe was in the RN with me. The evidence that he gave at his tribunal was full of lies and misleadng statements. He claimed that sailors and officers watched porn over breakfast – in my 12 years at sea never heard such rubbish. He thought himself above talking to AB sailors. Padres have no rank, yet he thought himself to be a senior officer, even though he had only just joined the navy. He complained that the married quarter was a squalid hole. Sound familiar…
March 10th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Thank goodness there’s someone who doesn’t think Mark is the underdog in this. I am all for clergy and their families having redress if they are wrongly treated, but Mark Sharpe has spent his life going to tribunals, and making money out of first the police, then the navy, and now the church. It can’t be coincidence – what is the one linking factor in all these? I honestly don’t believe for one moment that we treated him badly – we all felt very hurt and let down by the way he treated us. We prayed hard all through the selection process and after, and went to great lengths to try to do all we could to make the whole family feel settled and valued.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I hope any remarks made by me have not established me on any particular “side”. It is a horrible situation to be in, and one which my own village has been through. Judgment is not mine! What we must all remember is that however awkward, or even unlikable other folk may seem, they are as precious to Jesus as we are. He died for them. I would simply say: “If the cap fits, wear it”.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:02 am
I completely agree Lonaroma. I have been through this in a ‘town’ church. I am on the Lord’s side. He even died for me.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Personally I believe that any attempt to individualise this issue is unwise, and probably is contempt of court. I’m not sure if the views stated are not actionable. Certainly if Gill was writing as she is in Scotland there is a fair chance the she would be in trouble over questions of subjudicy. One can see where some of the toxicity of the situation may be coming from
All I will say that it is unfortunate to be involved in one Industrial Tribunal during ones career, to be involved in two or three seems to me to be gross carelessness. However previous form again is not something which we should know as it might influence the tribunal – lightening does on occasions strike twice.
As far as I’m concerned the substantive issue isn’t important. What is important is whether or not a member of the clergy is in any sense an employee and is under the protection of employment legislation. As far as I’m concerned there is a result if the Tribunial is held,and accepts jurisdiction no matter what the judgement on the case is.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Committed Christian, Theophilus and Lonaroma, you all (assuming you are not, in fact, some sort of triune hypostatic union
) sound like you’ve been through one of these “leave your brain at the door” indoctrination courses which are often identified by characters from the Greek alphabet.
I am not of this parish but I have certainly experienced The Toxic Vicar Syndrome. MarmiteMar writes that porn was not watched over breakfast in the RN which I am delighted to hear – all one wants to see at breakfast time is eggs, bacon and the coffee pot! However, this whole ludicrous tale is encapsulated in the complaint that personnel serving in HM forces use pornography and that the padre (shock! horror!) was “exposed” to it. Not only would the forces be the wrong job for this guy but, considering that any faith-minister who is doing his/her job properly needs to be ready to listen/counsel people with all sorts of personal issues (possibly EVEN MORE SERIOUS than the use of porno images by men who have no other sexual release for long periods of time), he is in the Wrong Job entirely.
Sounds like a compo-hound to me.
March 15th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Jean, sometimes it is better to “leave our brain at the door” so to speak.
After all Paul tells us emphatically that” Christ in us is the Hope of Glory!” Also, “He is made unto us WISDOM!”
By the way ‘triune hypostatic union’ sounds interesting but I have no clue how it would be a viable union on this kind of platform! No I haven’t been indoctrinated , but I do know the Love of God as far as I am able and look forward to an eternity of knowing more!
Seamus I do understand your concerns and hope that the’tribunal’ does prove to be an honest and unpolitical way of getting help.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
The only triune hypostatic union I know of is:- God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit, I haven’t been to any indoctrination courses. I go to a Christian Church and there are no greek letters above the door. So I really do not know what you are going on about.
All I am seeking to do is for each one of us to Keep our eyes on Jesus. Look Full in His wonderful face. The cares of the world will grow strangely dim in the light of HIS GLORY and GRACE. May each one reading or writing on this blog be blest with the recognition of the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Well said Committed Christian
March 15th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Sorry “Committed Christian” it seems to me that you are actually rejecting the Christian Gospel. The fact that you keep on with that particular non scriptural song suggests that you do not understand that Christ died for the whole World, which God created.
When we really turn our eyes upon Jesus rather than the things of earth growing strangely din, the things of earth become so real as Christ leads us into seeking justice and the support of the weak in his name.
If you want non biblical poetry I suggest that you try something like
If Christ should count you worthy
and should deign
To seek you door and be your guest
Pause ere you draw the bolt
If in your old content you would remain.
For not alone he enters in his train
The lonely guest dreams of the
unfulfilled and unposessed
And life’s immorial pain
How wise you were to open not,
and yet how poor if
you should turn him from the door
Or even better stick to the word of God as it is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the only rule which God has given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Try Matt 22:39 and // You shall love your neighbour as your self. and Matt 25:45 If you did not do it to the least of one these you did not do it to Me.
Turn to Christ and ask him what he is demanding that you do in service and love to the world that God created and the people whom Christ redeemed.
March 18th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Having looked up “hypostatic” and still being none the wiser, you might be right, Jean! But I do consider myself to be a bible based Christian, and as such would never recommend anyone to carry out all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament. Thank God that we live in New Testament times, and that our redemption does not lie in our own hands. Once, at an all time low these words came into my head, (from where?),
“He took my sins and my sorrows, and made them His very own, He bore my burden to Calvary, and suffered, and died, alone.”
I was let off the hook! And lived to enjoy life again….
March 18th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Mark Sharpe’s employment history tells any interested observer all she or he needs to know.
I suspect the findings of the forthcoming tribunal will comfort his erstwhile parishioners somewhat.