Archbishop Welby Criticized for Failing to Defend Anti-LGBT Priest

In a significant ruling, King’s Counsel Gregory Jones has criticized Archbishop Justin Welby for failing to support Reverend Dr. Bernard Randall, who was barred from preaching for five years after questioning gender ideology in a sermon at Trent College. Dr. Randall, an Anglican chaplain, was dismissed in 2021 and reported to the UK’s anti-terrorism program for suggesting that students could challenge the LGBT ideology being promoted at the school. His sermon, titled “Competing Ideologies,” emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue and understanding differing beliefs. The controversy arose after Trent College sought to enhance its LGBT inclusivity by partnering with the charity “Educate and Celebrate.” Following Dr. Randall's sermon, the Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, ruled that he posed a potential risk to children due to his views on LGBT issues, leading to his ongoing preaching ban. Jones described the Church's handling of the situation as “egregious” and criticized the decision as a gross error. Archbishop Welby, however, blocked Dr. Randall's attempt to bring a misconduct case against Bishop Lane, stating that while there were lessons to be learned, there was insufficient evidence for personal charges against her. Jones deemed this refusal “plainly wrong,” arguing that the archbishop misunderstood his authority in the matter. Dr. Randall expressed concern that safeguarding measures were being misused as a political weapon against theological positions aligned with Church doctrine. He suggested that the issue extends beyond his case, indicating a troubling trend within the Church that prioritizes protecting senior officials over seeking justice and reconciliation.