Ludlow News
Court rules Teme Valley vicar cannot take bullying claim to tribunal
10:39am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A VICAR who claimed he was hounded out of his job by bullying parishioners has had his case dismissed at a pre-hearing review of an employment tribunal.
Rev Mark Sharpe resigned from his post as rector of Teme Valley South, near Tenbury Wells, in September 2009 claiming he had been subjected to bullying by parishioners, had his dog poisoned and his car tyres slashed.
However, the tribunal found that he could not be considered an employee or worker of the Diocese of Worcester or the Bishop of Worcester after Mr Sharpe asked an employment judge whether he was entitled to bring a claim in either role.
The diocese was also granted permission to withdraw its concession, made in 2008, that he was a worker entitled to bring a claim.
Mr Sharpe was supported by the faith workers’ section of the Unite union during the tribunal in Birmingham in November last year. The law has previously stated Church of England clergy, as office holders, are “employed by God” and not eligible to bring actions for unfair dismissal.
Following the decision, published last week, the Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge said: “The employment tribunal has recognised that those clergy who are freehold incumbents are not employees of the bishop, the diocesan board of finance or anyone else.
“Clergy themselves have repeatedly said that they do not see themselves as employees and do not wish to be seen as such. This case has shown that Church of England vicars are not subject to any employment contract but are free to exercise their ministry as they see best within the framework provided by the law of the land.
“We hope that Mr Sharpe and Unite will respect this judgement so that we can all draw a line under this.”