Christian police officer loses religious discrimination claim

 (Photo: Unsplash/Aaron Burden)

A former police officer who claimed he was mocked by colleagues over his Christian faith has lost a religious discrimination claim.

Ex-PC Winston Roderick said he was discriminated against by colleagues while serving in South Wales Police.

The mockery allegedly included calling him Father Ted - the name of the main character, a priest, in the Channel 4 comedy of the same name - and comments in passing like "forgive me father".

One colleague allegedly made the sound of a church choir in a funny voice, the Daily Mail reported.

Another colleague is claimed to have said that Jesus "did not even exist" and that the Bible was "a pile of nonsense".

Mr Roderick, who is a pastor, was also seeking disability discrimination because of his mental health, and constructive dismissal.

But the tribunal dismissed all of his claims.

Judge Rhian Brace ruled: "Mr Roderick was a Christian pastor and would have been used to non-believers dismissing faith in Christianity when seeking to spread the word.

"Further, we accepted the evidence from some of South Wales Police's witnesses that Mr Roderick would regularly and routinely bring his faith into conversations in work.

"Where an individual chooses to take that step, they should not then be offended when others challenge that faith and indicate they do not believe."

News
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message
Pope seeks prayers for peace in Christmas Day message

The Pope asked people to pray in particular for the "tormented people of Ukraine" in his Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' message. 

Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?
Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?

The carol says, “Good King Wenceslas last looked out on the Feast of Stephen.” In many countries, December 26, also known as Boxing Day, is better known as St Stephen’s Day. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. This is the story …

King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address
King Charles reflects on pilgrimage, reconciliation and hope in Christmas Day address

King Charles III used his Christmas Day speech to reflect on the significance of pilgrimage as he appealed to the nation "to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation". 

2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book
2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book

One of the most-studied Bible verses of the year is from 2 Timothy in the New Testament, according to an analysis of millions of Bible study sessions that tracked how believers worldwide are engaging with Scripture.