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Scotish Tribunal Says Minister Is Not "Employee" In Unfair Dismissal Case

By Howard M. Friedman

In Scotland, an employment tribunal has rejected an unfair dismissal charge brought by Rev. Allan MacDonald against the Free Presbyterian Church. Highland News yesterday reported on the decision in which the tribunal held that MacDonald was not an "employee" of the Church, but rather held office by virtue of his ordination. His obligations as a minister were to the members of his congregation and the tribunal said it could not impose a legal relationship on the members that would be contrary to their religious beliefs. MacDonald was suspended by the congregation in 2007 and 2008 after he wrote a controversial book titled Veritatem Eme ? Buy the Truth. (Background.) Last June MacDonald was told by the congregation to vacate the manse within six months.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 05, 2009 (boomark / email).