Former School Chaplain Blacklisted by Church of England Despite Legal Review Finding Process Flawed

Dr Bernard Randall, a former school chaplain, continues to face professional blacklisting six years after his dismissal from Trent College in Derbyshire. The controversy stems from a sermon he delivered in a Church of England (CofE) school chapel, where he expressed views on the teaching of gender identity. The sermon, which included the assertion that children should be allowed to debate and disagree with such teachings, led to his removal from his position.

The incident occurred following an invitation for the controversial group Educate and Celebrate to speak at the school. The group, known for promoting the idea of “smashing heteronormativity,” was invited to address nursery-aged children. This decision has been widely criticized, particularly in light of recent revelations about one of the group’s patrons, Stephen Ireland, who was recently jailed for 24 years for a series of sex offences against children, including rape.

Despite the ongoing scandals surrounding Educate and Celebrate, the CofE and Bishop of Derby, Rt Revd Libby Lane, have remained silent on the matter. Instead, they have continued to label Dr Randall as a safeguarding risk to children. Following his dismissal, the Church of England denied him a preaching licence and barred him from ministry, despite no evidence of any harm to children.

Dr Randall has been informed by multiple authorities, including Prevent, the Teaching Regulation Agency, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and the Local Authority Designated Officer for Safeguarding (LADO), that he has no safeguarding case to answer. This has raised serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process used against him.

At General Synod this month, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, was asked about the treatment of Dr Randall and whether teaching CofE doctrine on marriage and sexual intimacy posed a safeguarding risk. The Archbishop responded that the House of Bishops had not considered the case or the specific question.

Following legal action by Dr Randall, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, ordered a review of the safeguarding procedures that led to his blacklisting. The process was to be restarted by independent persons. A legal review by Gregory Jones KC and Dame Sarah Asplin found the Church’s handling of the case to be “egregious,” “flawed,” and “highly unsatisfactory.” Senior legal figures concluded that the Diocese of Derby had departed from statutory safeguarding guidance and failed to provide any justification for the actions taken against Dr Randall.

Source: Read the original report