House of Lords Decision
In an action which finally reached the House of Lords a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Wales lost his case in which he claimed the right to bring a claim for unfair dismissal from his pastorate before an industrial tribunal. The case was heard before Lord Keith of Kinkel, Lord Brandon of Oakbrook, Lord Brightman, Lord Templeton and Lord MacKay of Clashfern. The Court found that the duties owed by a pastor to the church were not contractual or enforceable. A pastor was called and accepted the call. He did not devote his working life but his whole life to the church and religion. His duties were defined and his activities were dictated not by contract but by conscience. He was a servant of God. If his manner of serving God was not acceptable to the church then his pastorate could be brought to an end by the church in accordance with the provisions of the book of rules.
The case is an interesting one. It is gratifying to find expression given to such sentiments in a decision of the highest Court in the land. An account of the case appeared in the Times of 7th March.
Sabbath Shopping Bill
It is heartening to know that this Bill was defeated in the House of Commons on its second reading by a majority of 14 votes. The Government indicated it had no plans for re-introducing it and that they accepted the decision of the House. It is a token of good from the Lord to our land that the Bill was defeated and to Him be all the glory.
Children’s Diet
According to a survey carried out by the BBC nearly 90 per cent of children between nine and 12 years of age watch television or videos at some time on Saturdays and almost half spend four hours or more in front of the set on that day. This is the diet on which the young of the land are being brought up. In many cases it is to be feared that little control is being exercised by parents as to what kind of programmes their children watch. In view of this, can we wonder at the great increase of crime among the young. Young impressionable minds graduate from a diet of violent and other crimes shown on the TV screen to actual participation in such crimes in real life and the nation and families reap as they have sown.
Licentious Pictures in Newspapers
An attempt by a member of Parliament to prohibit the use of licentious pictures by some of the popular newspapers exposed her to ridicule from other members of the House of Commons. One said: “You would have our newspapers like Pravda.” In supporting her Bill she declared that many women think there is some connection between the rising tide of sexual crime and Page Three newspaper photographs. The Bill received a First Reading but is not likely to become law in this session of Parliament.
Rape Offences
The latest crime statistics have revealed that rape is increasing faster than virtually any other crime. In view of this the Government has given pledges of tough action against rapists. In England and Wales the figures rose by a third while in London they rose by more than 50 per cent. The Home Secretary, Mr Hurd, described the increase as most shocking and declared rape to be a totally barbaric act. He promised to give the police further resources to deal with this type of crime. The maximum penalty for attempted rape is to be a life sentence. It is to be hoped that these measures will be effective and the streets and parks of our towns and cities freed from this and other crimes. Yet only a true revival of religion will change the prevailing moral climate throughout the land.