Gay Hospital Chaplain Loses Discrimination Case Against C of E

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 11/4/15 | Harriet Sherwood

[marshmallow]

Jeremy Pemberton, first member of CofE clergy to enter same-sex marriage, claimed church was in breach of Equality Act

An NHS hospital chaplain who accused the Church of England of discrimination when he lost his job after marrying his gay partner has lost his case at an employment tribunal.

Jeremy Pemberton, who was the first member of the CofE clergy to enter into a same-sex marriage, said he would appeal against the ruling.

The Nottingham employment tribunal dismissed all claims by the clergyman after hearing his case in June. Pemberton had claimed the church was in breach of the 2010 Equality Act.

The case was seen as significant as an examination of the validity of CofE doctrine, a test of equality legislation in relation to that doctrine, and because it raised the issue of whether the church could legitimately veto appointments by other bodies - in this instance, the NHS.

Pemberton's marriage to his partner, Laurence Cunnington, in April 2014 was in defiance of a CofE ban on gay weddings for clergy, although they are permitted to enter into civil partnerships.

The bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Richard Inwood, revoked his permission to officiate, which prevented Pemberton from taking up a job at King's Mill hospital in Mansfield even though he was to be employed by the NHS as a hospital chaplain.

[stinkerpot65]

Surprising, but the Homo-Nazis will be back. Coming to a church near you. Hire perverts into the ministry or go to prison.