A retired minister in the United Church of Canada has asked to be formerly defrocked as an act of solidarity with her colleague Gretta Vosper, facing dismissal because of her atheism.
Rev Beverley Burlock has written an open letter to Church authorities asking to be removed from the roll of clergy because she believes Vosper has been treated unfairly.
In her letter, republished by Vosper on her website, Burlock says: "The United Church has lost its way. I am no longer proud to be associated with it, and have been more and more reluctant to identify myself as one of its ministers."
She says: "Never EVER was I subjected, in any of my pre-ordination interviews over the several years, to such an intensive and excessive interrogation as Gretta faced before the subcommittee, which basically amounted to a heresy trial. (Since when was 'right beliefs', an ancient persecuted offense, a UCC priority?) I did not become a minister who had to swear I believed in a list of set vows that were unalterable and infallible, and sign to that."
She cites the case of a previous Moderator of the Church, who said Jesus was not divine, and accused Church authorities of focusing on "the legal letter of the law, which is so NOT Jesus".
She compares the treatment of Vosper to the treatment of Christ, saying: "Gretta is being treated the same as the 'religious authorities' of his day treated Jesus, who called them out on putting law over compassion."
Burlock says that union of the Church of Canada with the Evangelical United Brethren has led the Church down a more conservative path: "We are no longer the open and exploring, the inclusive and progressive denomination we once were, emphasising social justice issues, which drew so many people, including me, to it."
A Church committee decided in September by a majority vote that Vosper should be recommended for dismissal after interviewing her about her repeated statements that she did not believe in God. She is fighting to be allowed to continue in ministry and has the support of her congregation.
