3/6/2025 United Kingdom (International Christian Concern) — On March 4, a British appeals court decided that the Rev. Dr. Bernard Randall could challenge what he deemed as an unfair firing for a sermon he delivered in his official capacity as a school chaplain.

“I am very pleased and thankful for today’s decision and am relieved that Judge Butler’s previous ruling has been acknowledged in court,” said Dr. Russel in a statement following the ruling. “Nevertheless, the continuing long wait for justice is painful and holding back my life.”

Dr. Randall’s troubles began back in 2019 when he was employed as a chaplain for Trent College, a private boarding school. The school had invited a pro-LGBTQ group, named Educate and Celebrate (E&C), to “smash heteronormativity” within the school and integrate LGBTQ ideology within the school curriculum.

During the integration period, Dr. Randall asked students what topics they would like to hear addressed in his sermons. The students reportedly asked, “How come we are told we have to accept all this LGBT stuff in a Christian school?”

During a chapel service, Dr. Randall delivered a sermon that laid out the Biblical position on sexuality and gender and encouraged students to respond to any disagreements with their beliefs with kindness and love for their neighbors. He also emphasized that the students should not feel forced to, “accept an ideology they disagree with.”

Dr. Randall was later subjected to an investigation, fired from his position as chaplain, and eventually reported to the U.K. government’s anti-terrorism watchdog organization, Prevent.

“I would not be where I am now if E&C had not been invited into Trent College, it is as simple as that,” Dr. Randall said. “As an ordained CofE [Church of England] minister working as a chaplain in a school with a CofE ethos, it was my duty to encourage debate and help children who were confused by the LGBT+ teaching to know that there are alternative views and beliefs on these contentious issues.”

An employment court in 2022 initially found against Dr. Randall on “every single point.” However, the recent decision from the appeal court found that the initial employment court ruling was unfairly biased against Dr. Randall’s Christian beliefs. Dr. Randall’s case was sent back to the trial court to finally receive the fair review it had been waiting for.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. It has been nearly six years since Bernard gave a sermon, and yet he is still waiting for justice,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is helping Dr. Randall with his case. “We welcome the decision to overturn the original ruling and the recognition of serious concerns regarding anti-Christian bias. This case has significant implications for freedom of speech and religious belief in schools.”

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