Bishop 'Disappointed' with Outcome of Sexual Discrimination Tribunal

The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, has expressed his disappointment after an employment tribunal found the Diocese of Hereford had discriminated against a gay Christian by not appointing him to the post of Youth Officer within the diocese.

John Reaney, 42, claimed that Bishop Priddis had asked "intrusive questions" about his previous gay relationships in a two-hour meeting in 2006, bringing him to the point of tears. The hearing then heard that Bishop Priddis blocked Reaney's appointment, despite his being the leading candidate for the job, ahead of eight other applicants.

The employment tribunal ruled that Reaney, from Colwyn Bay, Conwy, was discriminated against "on grounds of sexual orientation".

Bishop Priddis said he was disappointed by the tribunal's decision but not completely down. "The tribunal accepted that I did not 'interrogate' Mr Reaney and that I had acted in accordance with the teachings of the Church of England.

"It also recognised that the post of Diocesan Youth Officer falls within the small number of posts outside of the clergy which are within the religious exemptions of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003."

Mr Reaney said he was delighted with the ruling and that the case "demonstrated to many lesbian and gay Christians working for God within the Church of England that they are entitled to fair and respectful treatment".

His case was supported by gay rights group Stonewall. The group's Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said the verdict was "a triumph for 21st Century decency over 19th Century prejudice".

"The tribunal has rightly made clear that the Church of England cannot discriminate against gay people with impunity. No-one, not even a bishop, is exempt from the law," he said.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Bishop Priddis said: "I still think the decision I made was the right one."

"I regret the polarisation of view which takes place when these things happen," he said. He also affirmed that the decision had only been made after a "great deal of prayer and contemplation".

The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship also expressed its disappointment at the ruling.

"At first sight this judgment appears to be a serious affront to the freedom for churches to guarantee that their children and teenagers are being taught by people who are living according to the Bible's clear teaching about sexual morality," it said.

"The law is shifting rapidly so that where there is a 'competition of rights' it is the homosexual's right that trumps the Christian's right. This is a situation that needs to be reversed. At the very least, our law should recognise conscience exemptions for Christians so that they can live according to their faith."