Church of England perceives its own doctrine on marriage as a potential safeguarding hazard, as it persists in shunning a chaplain due to a sermon delivered.
The Church of England (CofE) has found itself embroiled in a heated controversy, following the dismissal and blacklisting of Dr. Bernard Randall, a chaplain, over a sermon he delivered on CofE teaching on marriage. Dr. Randall's ordeal began six years ago, when he was asked to provide a sermon in a CofE school chapel. The invitation came from the discredited group Educate and Celebrate, which has recently been embroiled in a scandal, with one of its patrons, Stephen Ireland, being jailed for 24 years for sex offenses against children. Despite no complainant, no evidence, and no allegation of misconduct, Dr. Randall has been treated as a risk. He was subjected to a safeguarding process that lacked transparency, fairness, and compassion, and was told by various authorities that he had no safeguarding case to answer. The CofE claims Dr. Randall remains a risk based on what he might say in future sermons and that his views could cause emotional and spiritual harm. However, Dr. Randall has maintained that his sermon reflected official Church of England doctrine, not personal opinion. The meeting that concluded the safeguarding process was marked by procedural irregularities, lack of due process, and coercive pressure to abandon his theological convictions. Dr. Randall described the impact on his mental, physical, and spiritual health as 'devastating' after the meeting. The Archbishop of Canterbury was told twice that he was wrong in his handling of the case. A legal review found the Church's handling of Dr. Randall's case to be 'egregious', 'flawed', and 'highly unsatisfactory'. The CofE has restarted a safeguarding investigation into Dr. Randall, but has not presented any evidence, complainant, or allegation of abuse. Mr. Elliot, the CofE safeguarding adviser, cited a now-overturned employment tribunal ruling as justification for Dr. Randall's blacklisting, but could not provide any evidence of abuse or a named victim. Mr. Elliot claimed that controversial views could lead to harm, but could not provide evidence to support this claim. Evidence suggested Dr Randall may have been discriminated against due to his alleged theology. Dr. Randall has faced legal sanction if he were to deliver a sermon in a CofE church. He has been told by various authorities that he has no safeguarding case to answer, yet he has been treated as guilty without accusation or evidence, and pressured to renounce his beliefs to be deemed safe. The safeguarding process Dr. Randall endured has not been pastoral but punitive and isolating him from the very community that should offer support. Dr. Randall's case raises serious questions about the Church of England's commitment to fairness, transparency, and the protection of its clergy. Dr. Randall has warned that the Church's actions are repeatedly portraying its own doctrine as harmful. He has remained faithful to the teachings of the Church, yet he has been treated as a danger for holding to them. This has caused profound harm to Dr. Randall's health, livelihood, and vocation. As the Church of England grapples with these issues, it remains to be seen how it will address the concerns raised by Dr. Randall's case and ensure a more just and compassionate approach to safeguarding in the future.
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