Culture of clergy bullying ‘needs to be tackled’, says
Unite
2 March 2010
A culture of bullying has yet to be understood or addressed in
the church and in other faiths, Unite, the largest union in the
country, will tell a meeting in London on 11 March.
Unite National Officer for the Not for Profit sector, Rachael
Maskell will tell the Define Bullying event of the large number of
calls and emails - about 50 - that the union has received in the
wake of the Revd. Mark Sharpe case.
Revd. Sharpe and his family said they suffered four years of
torment at the hands of their parishioners before leaving their
rectory at Hanley Broadheath, near Worcester just before Christmas.
Unite argues that the church authorities failed to support Revd.
Sharpe through this ordeal.
Rachael Maskell will draw on her experience of working with
clergy around the globe: ‘The case of Mark Sharpe is the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to bullying in the church – a scourge that
the church hierarchy seems unable or unwilling to tackle.’
‘Since Christmas, we have had an upsurge of calls from clergy
and from members of other denominations telling us about
heart-rending stories of bullying and other forms of abuse, such as
sexual harassment and intimidation.’
‘Many have had their lives ruined by the scars of this
experience and only wish the church would be humble enough to talk
to a union which has clear expertise in dealing with these
issues.’
‘Unite is calling for those leading the various faiths to
resolve this issue with the seriousness it deserves.’
‘The only way forward is for there to be dialogue and proper
procedures and training put in place.’
Unite represents 2,500 faith workers.
-ends-
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
Journalists are invited to this event which is being held at St
Augustine’s Church, 117 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5LW on Thursday,
11 March at 6.30pm.
Rachael Maskell is a key note speaker at the 2010 International
Workplace Bullying conference at the University of Glamorgan on 2-4
June.
For further information, please ring: Rachael Maskell, National
Officer, Community and Non Profit Sector 0207 420 8979
or 07768 693933; Shaun Noble, Communications Officer (Third
Sector) 020 74208951 or 07768 693940
Unite represents over 60,000 members in the Not for Profit
Sector
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