Church Dismisses Chaplain for Teaching Biblical Principles

Reverend Bernard Randall had been teaching at a private Church of England boarding school in Derbyshire when, in September 2019, he was abruptly dismissed for “gross misconduct” after delivering a sermon in which he told students they were not obligated to accept LGBT ideology without question.

The sermon followed his prior objections to a teacher training workshop run by the LGBT charity Educate & Celebrate, which aimed to promote inclusivity in schools.

Although an internal panel later reinstated him, he was made redundant in 2020. He subsequently filed for unfair dismissal, but the 2022 employment tribunal ruled against him. However, a new tribunal has now been granted after a judge found there had been an “appearance of bias” in the original proceedings.

Despite this, Rev. Randall has not returned to the classroom and has effectively been “cancelled.”

Rev. Randall is open about his experience, including his belief that Archbishop Justin Welby should have intervened but didn’t, and why he maintains that his message was consistent with Christian teaching “solidly based on what the Bible says.”

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Analysis:

The case of Reverend Bernard Randall is yet another clear example of how conservatives—particularly those with traditional Christian beliefs—are being targeted and silenced for holding views that deviate from progressive orthodoxy. His dismissal for merely encouraging students to think critically and uphold freedom of conscience shows how far the cultural pendulum has swung. He did not preach hatred. He simply affirmed that students have the right not to embrace every societal trend, especially when it conflicts with their deeply held faith.

What’s especially troubling is that this happened at a Church of England school, where one might reasonably expect that Biblical principles would be respected and defended. Instead, Rev. Randall was pushed out for upholding Christian doctrine—ironically, the very foundation on which the school was built.

The fact that an employment tribunal originally ruled against him, only to be overturned due to apparent bias, underscores what many conservatives have come to expect: that fair treatment is not guaranteed when your beliefs challenge the prevailing narrative.

This is not an isolated incident—it’s part of a broader pattern where conservatives are punished for expressing values that once were considered mainstream. Whether in education, media, or government, traditional voices are being sidelined in the name of “inclusion.”

Conservatives must continue to stand up for the principles of free speech, religious liberty, and the right to dissent. Because if we don’t defend the freedom to speak the truth—even when it’s unpopular—we risk losing it altogether.

Jennifer Lancaster

Just a homeschool mom hoping to make a positive difference in the world.