The ejecting of Rev Jake Worley

First, he was ejected from his duly elected position of bishop by the Diocese of Caledonia for preaching the gospel outside of the confines of the Anglican establishment – you know, the one that trumpets its inclusivity.

Second, he was ejected from his position as rector in the Diocese of Caledonia by bishop John Privett. No one who knows is admitting why but it seems likely the second reason is the same as the first.

Third he has been ejected from Canada, the country which proudly boasts its welcome of countless jobless migrants, because he is a jobless alien.

It just goes to show that, when it comes to liberalism, the church and their bishops and state and their politicians are one in character, belief and practice: intolerant, callous, hypocritical and corrupt.

From here:

Jacob Worley, who worked at St. James Anglican Church in Smithers and in Houston, was relieved of his position as priest effective Nov. 30.

Diocesan administrator Rev. Gwen Andrews, who could not be reached for comment, said in a statement Worley was terminated without cause by Archbishop John Privett of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and Yukon.

“I was told in the termination letter that my termination did not reflect on the work I have done as a priest in the Bulkley Valley,” said Worley. “While the national church — the Anglican Church of Canada — likes to say that they tolerate a wide range of theological perspectives, my termination can only be understood as a response to my outspoken orthodox, biblical, and traditional position as an Anglican priest.”

In an interview with the Anglican Journal, Privett said he made his decision in consultation with the diocesan leadership and declined to elaborate on why Worley was relieved.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to speak about personnel matters. Those are confidential,” said Privett to the Anglican Journal. “What I can say, though, is that it was not precipitous. I thought about it carefully, I discussed it with others, and I do believe the decision was in the best interests of both the diocese and the Worley family.”

The Worleys left the country last week and are currently in America. Worley, who is American, had residency in Canada that was contingent on his employment. He and his family were given 10 days to leave the country after his last day of employment.

“We don’t know what we are going to do. It takes time to find another position,” said Worley. “We need to pray and seek the Lord’s direction.”

This seems to be the final chapter in a saga that lasted just over half a year.

In April, Worley was elected bishop of Caledonia but was not consecrated as a bishop after a ruling by the House of Bishops of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and Yukon. Caledonia covers most of northern B.C.

The House of Bishops said a driving factor in their decision to overrule the election was because of Worley’s involvement with the Anglican Mission in America, a group of theologically conservative churches that was originally a mission of the Anglican Province of Rwanda.

They claim the former priest’s involvement with a church plant in the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Church was made without the permission of the Episcopal Church. This violated Resolution 72 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.

The bishops also said Worley held views that run contrary to the Doctrine of Discipline of the Anglican Church of Canada.

“It’s been a long seven months,” said Worley. “We were hurt, very concerned for the diocese, and fearful of what the future looks like at the hands of those have all the power but none of the transforming love that Christ gives.”

A new election was held in late October, and Rev. David Lehmann was elected bishop.

Members of his former parish Pierce and Anita Clegg started a GoFundMe page to assist the Worleys in their move.

“We were and remain very humbled by Pierce and Anita’s support,” said Worley. “We are amazed at the support from across North America but also of how so many from the Christian community in Smithers and Houston, across denominational lines, have shown us love and care. I’m so thankful that we are a part such a community.”

8 thoughts on “The ejecting of Rev Jake Worley

  1. I still do not understand how dismissal without cause was legal even under provincial law, let alone ecclesiastical. Especially when in other dioceses there are serving clergy who ought not even to be admitted to the Holy Communion because of their publicly known irregular lives.

    • Because in Canada we have what is termed “at will” employment. Meaning that it is at the discretion of the employer if someone is going to continue to be employed. An employer may at any time discontinue a person’s employment. When an employer states that the dismissal is “without cause” what the employer is saying in a legal way is that the dismissal has nothing to do with the performance of the employee. Or to put it another way, the employee did nothing to cause their termination. This would presumably make it easier for the now former employee to qualify for Employment Insurance coverage and also to find their next job.

        • I do not know what the pension laws are in the USA, but here in Canada the money that is in a pension fund is the property of the employee. Even though the pension fund may be managed by the employer it would be illegal for an employer to try to take back any money.

          If it were to happen It would also have considerable income tax implications for the employer as such a taking back would effect prior year(s) corporate taxable income. Additionally it would effect the employee’s RRSP contribution limits.

          • I knew a clergyman who had ministered mostly in the States, but when threatened in a Canadian diocese with dismissal for not being prepared to officiate a same-sex ‘wedding’, thought it prudent to jump i.e. resign before he was pushed, on the grounds that he would otherwise have forfeited his ECUSA pension.

            • Your friend may have been threatened with losing his ECUSA pension, or he may have felt threatened. But threats and feelings are not law. Anyone in Canada who has been threatened in this way by their employer should seek legal counsel and consider the likelihood of “constructive dismissal”.

        • Dr Turner,
          All benefits under the ACofC Pension Plan are fully vested. A member whose employment is terminated (and it makes no difference whether termination is by the employer with or without cause, or by resignation, whether to pursue secular employment or to join another church) can either elect to remain in the plan as an inactive member and draw whatever pension they have earned at age 65 (or a reduced pension at age 60), or to withdraw from the plan and have the value of their pension earned transferred, tax-free, to an RRSP, another employer’s pension plan, or an annuity which meets CRA rules. (one of the actuarial problems with the pension plan is that it has “too many” such inactive members)

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