UK: Free speech storm embroils church after vicar sacked over 'anti-woke' YouTube channel

The vicar, who opposes the ordination of women, has claimed the comments were “tongue in cheek and sarcastic” and that he has a right to free speech.

“It was not my intention to say all female clergy were witches, but to criticise militant feminism within the church,” he said.

But the ruling rejected this. “Your comments on the freedom of speech are noted, but there are proportionate limits to this right particularly when it comes to protecting the church’s reputation,” the ruling read.

The disciplinary hearing also upheld allegations that he failed “to follow reasonable instructions from your bishop” and failed to file the church’s accounts in a timely manner.

The church’s ruling, seen by The Telegraph, upheld one allegation of “inappropriate online activity”, finding that his YouTube channel did “not sit with the principles and values of the church”.

The Rev Murphy uses the channel to comment on news and developments in Christianity “from a conservative Christian standpoint”.

He is now appealing against the ruling, claiming the investigation was not carried out fairly.

He also claims he is being forced out by his bishop, the Rt Rev John Fenwick, describing the disciplinary proceedings against him as a “kangaroo court”.

But the bishop rejected the criticism, saying: “The personal nature of the attacks on me is entirely misplaced.”

Rev Murphy was cleared of wrongdoing last year by a Church of England tribunal after he referred to its first transgender archdeacon as a “bloke”.

Last year, the father of two left the Church of England to join the FCE along with the Rev Calvin Robinson, a political commentator.

He was made the vicar of Emmanuel, Morecambe, in July 2023 and under him the congregation grew in size from two worshippers to 50.

But after 13 months in the position, he was “sacked by email” on Aug 9 following a disciplinary hearing brought against him by the FCE.

“It has been one of the most traumatic experiences of our lives,” he told The Telegraph. “I think I’ve got pretty thick skin because I’ve been through a lot as a minister.

“Enduring a kangaroo court and the injustice of that was pretty unpleasant. The cold and callous disregard about caring for my pregnant wife and two children has been a concern to us.”

The Rev Murphy added: “I can’t help but feel like there have been daggers in my back.

“The FCE should have really been right on board [with the channel] because I was only proclaiming doctrines that were congruent with their own beliefs.”

Rev Murphy, who has received more than £140,000 in online donations since his sacking to fund the purchase of a home, is considering setting up a separate church with his congregation in Morecambe if the appeal against his dismissal fails.

The Rev Murphy has accused Dr Bob Stephen, the FCE’s general secretary, of being the “one person issuing the allegations, investigating and holding the hearing on his own, analysing the evidence and issuing the dismissal” at the hearing.

This appears to contradict both the FCE’s own rules, which say accusations against ministers should be judged by a panel of clergy and laity, and guidelines issued by Acas, the conciliation service, that “different people should carry out the investigation and disciplinary hearing” in misconduct cases.

Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “The mark of a passionate vibrant Christian faith is the ability of a man to grow a church.

“Brett has done this, and his community love him. To remove him and his young family from the church and home is cruel.”

The Rt Rev Fenwick said: “I am unable to comment on the termination of Mr Murphy’s contract of employment, or the circumstances surrounding it, as the process has not yet been concluded and the Free Church of England, for its part, is observing the confidentiality that is expected in such matters.”

END

Free speech storm embroils church after vicar sacked over ‘anti-woke’ YouTube channel
The Free Church of England dismissed the Rev Brett Murphy as it ruled the videos he posted online had brought it ‘into disrepute’

By Tim Sigsworth
THE TELEGRAPH
14 September 2024

A church is embroiled in a free speech row after sacking a vicar who ran an anti-woke YouTube channel.

Breakaway Anglican denomination, the Free Church of England (FCE), dismissed the Rev Brett Murphy last month after ruling that the “nature and tone” of videos he posted online had brought the church “into disrepute”.

The FCE took issue with the vicar using the term “witch” to refer to female priests.