Archbishop of York Criticises British Airways Cross Decision
The Archbishop of York has appealed to British Airways after one of its workers lost her appeal to openly wear her cross necklace while at work with the airline.
by Maria Mackay and Daniel Blake
Posted: Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 11:03 (GMT)
The Archbishop of York has criticised the "flawed reasoning" of British Airways after one of its employees lost her fight to openly wear a cross necklace while at work at Heathrow.
Check-in worker Nadia Eweida, 55, of Twickenham, was told in October that she must not display a small necklace cross over her clothes, but instead hide it under her blouse or cravat. Since that time she has been on unpaid leave.
After meeting with airline bosses on Monday, Eweida was told that she had lost her internal appeal against the decision.
The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, today appealed to British Airways, which allows make Sikh staff to wear turbans and Muslim staff to wear hijabs, to reconsider its decision.
He derided the BA statement which said that the decision was "purely a question of practicality", suggesting that its explanation meant that employees turning up for work with a "three foot cross must be allowed to wear it because to hide such a cross under their uniform would be impractical".
Andrea Minichiello Williams of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship also criticised the British Airways decision, saying, "This application of BA's uniform policy is clearly inconsistent. We would like to see a level-playing field. BA has allowed some employees freedom to express their faith but Nadia has been denied this right."
Ms Eweida, 55, had appealed against the decision, saying that she should be entitled to openly proclaim her Christian faith.
"In seven years I have not had any complaints from passengers about my cross being visible," Eweida told Sky News.
BA, however, denied it had banned the wearing of crosses and said Eweida had a right to a second appeal. The company has come under heavy criticism from leaders of other faiths but has said its uniform policy stated that such items could be worn if concealed underneath the uniform.
Eweida told reporters that she was effectively "forced" to take unpaid leave after refusing to hide the symbol.
During Monday's meeting, British Airways explained that it respected her faith and accepted the cross was not jewellery, but would stand firm on its original decision.
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Added: Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 22:12 (GMT)
Sir, I’ve found the recent debate on the wearing of the cross by a BA employee ironically devoid of Gospel truth. The sooner Christianity is dis-established in the UK the better. Then we can begin to have some valuable dialogue about the Gospel without the political and secular point scoring that I’m sure is purely a backlash to political correctness.
Christ’s life was emphatically about claiming justice for others, not for ourselves, like some spoiled child crying “it’s not fair”. Proclamation should come through our lives and actions with words if necessary, not by the wearing of some badge! Crosses are for comfort and recall of the presence of Christ who engenders humility in all that we do. It ain’t easy, but He never said it would be!
David Clarke, Loughborough,UK
Added: Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 17:16 (GMT)
Dear Sir, As a Christian I would would certainly boycott British Airways for being bias, insensible and of discriminatory attitude. This is a serious problem. An Airlines from historically christian nation denies the rights of religious freedom to it's employee? What a tragic thinking of BA's think tank ? I totally agree with the stands of Church of England in this issue.
Bernard Stevenson, Manchester, United Kingdom
Added: Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 17:27 (GMT)
If BA does not reverse its position (and also compensate this lady) then Christians should boycotte the airline (as well as writing to BA, explaining their actions) as a public protest. There is a very large principle at stake here, and Christians should stand up for their rights in the eyes of British law and British decency for the glory of God. For too long the Church has sat back (on many issues) when we should have been vocal.
Jashobeam, England
Added: Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 13:26 (GMT)
Dear Sirs
The BA decision to ban the wearing of a cross is religious discrimination. As mentioned muslims wear the hijab, sikhs their turban. It is a specious argument to say theirs cannot be worn under uniform - as you say, if one wants to wear a three foot cross?! The Archbishop of Yorks comments today are more than welcome and very pertinent. Will airport or flight security be subject to demonstration and will it be any safer to fly now? The Muslims have set the precendent - I hope history does not repeat itself - Has BA sown the seeds and will begin to reap the whirlwind?
martin, Cape Town South Africa
