Posted on 01/08/2022 2:19:13 AM PST by Mount Athos
A British tribunal has ruled that a Christian nurse who was forced to resign from a hospital over her refusal to stop wearing a cross was wrongfully discriminated against.
The Employment Tribunal ruled Wednesday that Mary Onuoha had been mistreated by the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust when they demanded that he stop wearing a cross to work.
The tribunal rejected the hospital's claim that the cross necklace presented a high infection risk, noting that other items like rings and hijabs were permitted at the facility.
“There is no evidence to show that the infection risk they posed was lower than the Cross-Necklace,” stated the tribunal. “There is no cogent explanation as to why these items are permitted but a fine necklace with a small pendant of religious devotional significance is not.”
The tribunal went on to note that Onuoha “was not just wearing a necklace. It was a Cross-Necklace that was a manifestation of religious belief and not a mere fashion accessory.”
“Subjectively, from the Claimant’s point of view, that created an offensive and threatening environment,” they added. “The conduct was clearly unwanted. The Claimant simply wanted to get on with her job whilst wearing her Cross-Necklace.”
Christian Concern, a London-based group whose partner organization, the Christian Legal Centre, helped represent Onuoha, released a statement on Wednesday celebrating the ruling.
“We are delighted that the Tribunal have ruled in Mary’s favor and delivered justice in this case,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, as quoted in the statement.
“From the beginning this case has been about the high-handed attack from the NHS bureaucracy on the right of a devoted and industrious nurse to wear a cross — the worldwide, recognized and cherished symbol of the Christian faith. It is very uplifting to see the Tribunal acknowledge this truth.”
A native of Nigeria, Onuoha immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1988 and began working at the hospital in 2001, wearing a cross necklace while working her shifts.
In 2015, Onuoha began to have superiors who requested that she remove the cross, and in 2018, her superiors claimed that the religious jewelry violated the facility’s dress code.
She was then forced to take on administrative roles rather than her intended occupation and was facing possible disciplinary action before she resigned in August 2020.
After her resignation, Onuoha filed legal action against the hospital, accusing her supervisors of religious discrimination, with the tribunal hearing oral arguments last October.
"This has always been an attack on my faith," said Onuoha in a statement released last year. "My cross is part of me and my faith, and it has never caused anyone any harm.”
“Hindus wear red bracelets on their wrists and female Muslims wear hijabs [at the hospital]. Yet my small cross around my neck was deemed so dangerous that I was no longer allowed to do my job."
Good to know there is at least one island of sanity in the messed up UK.
She emigrated to, what she thought, was freedom.
May British Christians stand up for their faith as did this brave Nigerian woman before it is too late.
Time is short. - Matthew 24
<< “Hindus wear red bracelets on their wrists and female Muslims wear hijabs [at the hospital]. Yet my small cross around my neck was deemed so dangerous that I was no longer allowed to do my job.” >>
Says it all.
They were concerned about the cross infecting people? That infection they’re so afraid of is not a physical infection.
I am betting that they never made one muslim remove their hijab, burka or shame their beard and that they are given ample time to pray each day while on the clock.
They were concerned about the cross infecting people? That infection they’re so afraid of is not a physical infection.
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What a pathetic excuse by NHS. A small silver or gold cross is going to be as hygienic as any metallic watchband, which one presumes staff are allowed to wear.
If I remember to, I pull out my Crucifix necklace when going through a checkout line that has a muslim checker.
Just frosts me that they are allowed to flaunt their religion but not Christians.
I was told to hide my Star of David/Cross necklace because someone onboard complained when they saw it. I’m a Messianic Jew and I bet the complainer was a mussie.
Absurd. That they would even claim that is what presents a high indoctrination risk
My late husband was a Messianic Jew; when we were dating, he gave me a Star of David necklace with a cross.
I’ve worn it for years and never had a negative comment from Jewish people; the only negative comment I got was from an atheist; my response was along the lines of “why should you care since you’re an atheist” and I walked away.
Cool. I get that a lot too. People have told me there’s no such thing as a Messianic Jew. My response was: who was the disciples and who was Paul. Jews. And they worshiped and believed in Yeshua as Christ.
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