Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Servant of God

God's workers have no rights

LONDON: A Court has ruled that priests have no rights under Britain's employment laws because they work for God and not an earthly employer.

Three Appeal Court judges decided on Friday that Anglican curate Reverend Alex Coker had no right to take his case for unfair dismissal before an Industrial Tribunal. "A minister of religion serves God and his congregation but does not serve an employer. There is not a contract that he will serve a terrestrial employer in the performance of his duties," Lord Justice Christopher Staughton ruled. Coker, 48, claimed he was unfairly sacked in 1994 from his job as curate in south-west London. On the argument that priests worked for God, judge Staughton said: "I don't think you have an address for Him so you will not be able to serve any documents."

Reported by Reuters, July 13, 1997

Copyright 2003-2004 Azlan Adnan Legal Notice

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