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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Spitting vicar' sacked by bishop | 'Spitting vicar' sacked by bishop |
| (3 days later) | |
| A Church of England vicar accused of spitting at and intimidating his parishioners has been ordered to leave his Cambridgeshire post by his bishop. | A Church of England vicar accused of spitting at and intimidating his parishioners has been ordered to leave his Cambridgeshire post by his bishop. |
| Rev Dr Tom Ambrose, 61, of St Mary and St Michael Church in Trumpington, has been disqualified from carrying out any of the functions of his office. | Rev Dr Tom Ambrose, 61, of St Mary and St Michael Church in Trumpington, has been disqualified from carrying out any of the functions of his office. |
| A church tribunal last year recommended the move citing "pastoral breakdown". | A church tribunal last year recommended the move citing "pastoral breakdown". |
| Dr Ambrose has issued a denial he ever spat at parishioners and said the allegation was never put to him. | Dr Ambrose has issued a denial he ever spat at parishioners and said the allegation was never put to him. |
| Dr Ambrose had clashed with parishioners over his plans to modernise the church. | Dr Ambrose had clashed with parishioners over his plans to modernise the church. |
| I do not spit and I never swear. If there is any person who has ever see me do such a thing, let them come forward Rev Dr Tom Ambrose | I do not spit and I never swear. If there is any person who has ever see me do such a thing, let them come forward Rev Dr Tom Ambrose |
| The tribunal heard evidence of "arrogant, aggressive, rude, bullying, high-handed, disorganised and at times petty behaviour of Dr Ambrose". | The tribunal heard evidence of "arrogant, aggressive, rude, bullying, high-handed, disorganised and at times petty behaviour of Dr Ambrose". |
| In the decision letter to the vicar and those who brought the tribunal, the Bishop of Ely Dr Anthony Russell wrote: "I am astonished and dismayed that there are recorded two occasions on which it is said that Dr Ambrose spat at parishioners, allegations which were not challenged in cross-examination." | In the decision letter to the vicar and those who brought the tribunal, the Bishop of Ely Dr Anthony Russell wrote: "I am astonished and dismayed that there are recorded two occasions on which it is said that Dr Ambrose spat at parishioners, allegations which were not challenged in cross-examination." |
| The incidents were part of a long line of disagreements between Dr Ambrose and worshippers at the church, the tribunal was told. | The incidents were part of a long line of disagreements between Dr Ambrose and worshippers at the church, the tribunal was told. |
| The tribunal heard allegations that he inundated opponents of his plans with e-mails and letters. | The tribunal heard allegations that he inundated opponents of his plans with e-mails and letters. |
| Rev Dr Tom Ambrose was a vicar at St Mary and St Michael Church | Rev Dr Tom Ambrose was a vicar at St Mary and St Michael Church |
| Dr Ambrose also allegedly upset older parishioners by using slide shows instead of sermons and using so much incense in church that some worshippers felt sick. | Dr Ambrose also allegedly upset older parishioners by using slide shows instead of sermons and using so much incense in church that some worshippers felt sick. |
| But he denied being aggressively confrontational and claimed that "envy" had been behind the allegations against him. | But he denied being aggressively confrontational and claimed that "envy" had been behind the allegations against him. |
| In a widely circulated email he said: "I wish to issue a categorical denial that I have ever spat at anyone in my entire life. This allegation has never been made to me personally. | In a widely circulated email he said: "I wish to issue a categorical denial that I have ever spat at anyone in my entire life. This allegation has never been made to me personally. |
| "It was never made when PCC members first presented a case to the bishop several years ago, it was never made during... attempts at mediation. | "It was never made when PCC members first presented a case to the bishop several years ago, it was never made during... attempts at mediation. |
| "It was never raised at the mediation sessions which were held under the auspices of ACAS." | "It was never raised at the mediation sessions which were held under the auspices of ACAS." |
| "I do not spit and I never swear. If there is any person who has ever see me do such a thing, let them come forward." | "I do not spit and I never swear. If there is any person who has ever see me do such a thing, let them come forward." |
| A Diocesan spokesman said Dr Ambrose remained a vicar. | |
| He said: "He has not lost his orders, essentially he's lost his job." | He said: "He has not lost his orders, essentially he's lost his job." |
| Dr Ambrose is understood to want to now take his case to an employment tribunal. | Dr Ambrose is understood to want to now take his case to an employment tribunal. |