United Church of Canada Rejects Vosper Appeal, Gives No Reasons
After deliberating for more than three months, having received ten volumes of materials consisting of approximately 1700 pages of written submissions, this week the United Church of Canada appeal court (the Judicial Committee Executive) issued a one-page decision refusing, without reasons, to hear Reverend Gretta Vosper’s appeal.
Rev. Vosper is the Minister of West Hill United Church (“West Hill”), located in Scarborough and within the Toronto Conference of the UCC. Rev. Vosper is a self-described atheist who believes in a metaphorical god instead of the traditional theistic vision of god. Rev. Vosper has openly applied her views throughout her ministry since 2001 and has the full support of her Congregation.
Falconers LLP acts as legal counsel for Reverend Vosper.
Related Documents
United Church of Canada Appeal Decision March 30, 2016
Reverend Vosper’s Press Release March 31, 2016
Falconers LLP Submissions to the United Church of Canada:
Statement of Argument to General Secretary September 18, 2015
Affidavit of Randy Bowes, Chair of West Hill Board Sworn September 18, 2015
Exhibits to Affidavit of Randy Bowes Sworn September 18, 2015
Book of Authorities September 18, 2015
Reply to General Secretary October 30, 2015
Reply Affidavit of Randy Bowes October 30, 2015
Final Reply to General Secretary Sur-Reply December 10, 2015
Video
Gretta Vosper: The Atheist Minister CBC, March 25, 2016
In the News
United Church upholds decision to review fitness of atheist minister Winnipeg Free Press, March 31, 2016
Can an atheist be a United Church minister? CBC, March 25, 2016
Meet the United Church minister who came out as an atheist Toronto Star, February 21, 2016
Meet the ordained minister who doesn’t really believe in God CTV, January 13, 2016
Q and A: Gretta Vosper, the United Church minister who doesn’t believe in God Toronto Life, November 25, 2015
Atheist Clergy Colleagues Agree on Many Things, but… Bob Ripley, August 31, 2015
Atheism, the Bible and sexual orientation Community- The News, August 25, 2015
Why I Support This ‘Atheist’ Minister Junaid Jahangir, August 18, 2015
How not to cross a boundary The Christian Century, August 14, 2015
This Christian Minister Doesn’t Believe in God — And She’s Not the Only One Vice, August 10, 2015
‘I Dont Believe in God’: Atheist Minister Resists Efforts to Boot Her from United Church of Canada Christian News Network, August 9, 2015
Atheist Minister Continues Fight to Remain Ordained in United Church of Canada Christian Post, August 8, 2015
Shuck and Jive: God? John Shuck, August 7, 2015
Colby Cosh: The heretical minister to help her flock evolve out of the need for church National Post, August 7, 2015
Atheist minister’s ‘effectiveness’ being evaluated OneNewsNow, August 6, 2015
Atheist United Church minister challenges review that could lead to firing Toronto Star, August 5, 2015
Atheist minister fighting United Church’s effort to fire her The Globe and Mail, August 5, 2015
Atheist clergy should remove masks Vancouver Sun, July 4, 2015
Atheist minister faces Conference review UC Observer, July, 2015
Atheist church minister being reviewed for her ‘effectiveness’ Christian News on Christian Today, June 3, 2015
The United Church Canada Makes Bold Move to Crack Down on ‘Atheist Minister’ Charisma News, June 2, 2015
United Church of Canada to Investigate ‘Effectiveness’ of Minister Who Professes Atheism Church and Ministry, May 30, 2015
Atheist Rev. Gretta Vosper to be “reviewed” Vancouver Sun, May 26, 2015
Who or What Is God Jim Burklo, February 2, 2015
Atheist Minister May Face ‘Review’ by United Church of Canada Leaders Who See Her as a Heretic richarddawkins.net, Undated
