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Gay man wins £47k church payout | Gay man wins £47k church payout |
(about 13 hours later) | |
A gay Christian who won a claim against the Church of England has been awarded more than £47,000 in compensation. | A gay Christian who won a claim against the Church of England has been awarded more than £47,000 in compensation. |
John Reaney took the Hereford diocesan board of finance to an employment tribunal after his appointment as a youth worker was blocked. | John Reaney took the Hereford diocesan board of finance to an employment tribunal after his appointment as a youth worker was blocked. |
Bishop of Hereford Anthony Priddis has apologised and gay rights group Stonewall said the "substantial compensation" sent a clear message. | Bishop of Hereford Anthony Priddis has apologised and gay rights group Stonewall said the "substantial compensation" sent a clear message. |
Mr Reaney, from Colwyn Bay, Conwy, said he was delighted the case was over. | Mr Reaney, from Colwyn Bay, Conwy, said he was delighted the case was over. |
"Lesbian and gay Christians working within the Church of England are entitled to be treated with humanity," said Mr Reaney, 42. | "Lesbian and gay Christians working within the Church of England are entitled to be treated with humanity," said Mr Reaney, 42. |
"I'm very grateful to Stonewall for supporting this case throughout." | "I'm very grateful to Stonewall for supporting this case throughout." |
We are glad we can draw a line under this unhappy situation Anni Holden, diocese of Hereford | We are glad we can draw a line under this unhappy situation Anni Holden, diocese of Hereford |
Mr Reaney applied for the vacant post of youth officer within the Hereford diocese in May 2006. | Mr Reaney applied for the vacant post of youth officer within the Hereford diocese in May 2006. |
During the tribunal in April 2007 Mr Reaney said the members of the eight-strong interview panel had recommended him for the job and the appointment just needed the approval of the bishop. | During the tribunal in April 2007 Mr Reaney said the members of the eight-strong interview panel had recommended him for the job and the appointment just needed the approval of the bishop. |
During a two-hour meeting in July, Mr Reaney claimed the bishop questioned him about a gay relationship. | During a two-hour meeting in July, Mr Reaney claimed the bishop questioned him about a gay relationship. |
Sexual orientation | Sexual orientation |
Three days later the bishop phoned him to say he had been unsuccessful. | Three days later the bishop phoned him to say he had been unsuccessful. |
In his evidence to the original tribunal, Bishop Priddis said anyone in a sexual relationship outside marriage would have been rejected . | In his evidence to the original tribunal, Bishop Priddis said anyone in a sexual relationship outside marriage would have been rejected . |
However the tribunal last month ruled Mr Reaney, who now lives in Cardiff, had been discriminated against "on the grounds of sexual orientation". | However the tribunal last month ruled Mr Reaney, who now lives in Cardiff, had been discriminated against "on the grounds of sexual orientation". |
Bishop of Hereford Anthony Priddis has apologised | |
Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "We're delighted that the tribunal has sent such a robust signal, both to the bishop and other employers. | Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "We're delighted that the tribunal has sent such a robust signal, both to the bishop and other employers. |
"The substantial level of compensation sends out a very clear message. Not even a bishop is above this law." | "The substantial level of compensation sends out a very clear message. Not even a bishop is above this law." |
The award is made up of £7,000 damages for psychiatric injury, £6,000 for injury to feelings, £25 for costs incurred in seeking work, £1,320 cost of counselling, £25,000 for future loss of wages and £8,000 for future pension loss. | The award is made up of £7,000 damages for psychiatric injury, £6,000 for injury to feelings, £25 for costs incurred in seeking work, £1,320 cost of counselling, £25,000 for future loss of wages and £8,000 for future pension loss. |
Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the diocese of Hereford, said the legal costs of the case to the diocese were being met by an anonymous donation. | Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the diocese of Hereford, said the legal costs of the case to the diocese were being met by an anonymous donation. |
"We are glad we can draw a line under this unhappy situation. It has been a difficult time for all of us involved in the tribunal," she said. | "We are glad we can draw a line under this unhappy situation. It has been a difficult time for all of us involved in the tribunal," she said. |
"It has been a long drawn-out process and we are pleased that it is finally complete. | "It has been a long drawn-out process and we are pleased that it is finally complete. |
"We are now aware that when making such an appointment we must make it clear if it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder should believe in and uphold the Christian belief and ideal of marriage, and that sexual relationships are confined to marriage. | "We are now aware that when making such an appointment we must make it clear if it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder should believe in and uphold the Christian belief and ideal of marriage, and that sexual relationships are confined to marriage. |
"This is the crux of the matter, not sexual orientation." | "This is the crux of the matter, not sexual orientation." |
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