Free Church bishop doorsteps pregnant woman with police after sacking vicar husband for popular free speech videos
14 September 2024 Issued by: Christian ConcernThe Rev. Brett Murphy was sacked by the Free Church of England (FCE) following a series of ‘scattershot’ allegations that left him and his family, including his pregnant wife, on the verge of homelessness.
The man behind the sacking, Rt. Rev Dr John Fenwick, who is Bishop of the Northern Diocese, has since been accused of antisemitism and gaslighting and his intimidating behaviour, which has involved weaponising the police, has led to up to 50 complaints from church members.
Out of the blue in July, Rev. Murphy, 38, who is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre, was accused of ‘bringing the church into disrepute’ for opposing ‘queering the church’, being a vocal complementarian and even for smoking a pipe.
Following a disciplinary hearing, he was sacked for ‘not being the right fit’, despite the church where he ministered, Emmanuel Church Morecambe, Lancashire, growing by 2,400% in one year.
Rev Murphy had joined the church in Morecambe after leaving the Church of England (CofE) last year after its hierarchy approved plans to allow ‘same-sex blessings’ in its places of worships.
Rev. Murphy has been vocal in opposing the CofE’s departure from Biblical truth on these issues in his weekly news vlogs to his 20,000 subscribers on YouTube.
The investigation against him was led by the General Secretary of the FCE, Dr Bob Stephen, hand in glove with Bishop Fenwick.
Rev. Murphy has said the process leading to his dismissal was a: ‘kangaroo court, with one person issuing the allegations, investigating and holding the hearing on his own, analysing the evidence and issuing the dismissal. None of this follows secular ACAS guidelines let alone the canons of our church which state that the matter should be heard by a panel of my peers including my fellow clergy and laity.’
After being dismissed and facing eviction with his wife seven months pregnant, an extraordinary fundraising appeal followed with the Murphy family being donated over £148,000 to buy their own home and continue their ministry at the Morecambe church.
Instead of being under the control of Bishop Fenwick, Rev. Murphy will receive episcopal oversight from the Anglican Church Traditional of the Philippines.
Following the sacking, however, Bishop Fenwick attended Emmanuel where he cancelled the organist’s music and refused to allow ‘the peace’ during the service.
Before the service started, extraordinary video footage has emerged of Bishop Fenwick standing over Rev. Murphy’s wife, when she was alone, seemingly trying to intimidate her into not live streaming the service as is the normal practice.
The Bishop’s wife threatened to the call the police. The congregation rallied around Mrs Murphy with one member of the church genuinely and innocently asking: ‘Are we still allowed to sing?’
After an investigation, Bishop Fenwick was asked by police to consider how he interacts with people, especially women in the future.
Appearing to be enraged by the developments, and apparently not heeding police advice, Bishop Fenwick has now doorstepped Rev. Murphy and his heavily pregnant wife with a letter accompanied by two police officers.
The visit came after Bishop Fenwick changed the locks on the church building, barring access despite the building being held in trust for the Emmanuel Church congregation and trustees.
A legal dispute is expected to follow over the access and use of the church building and the trustees of which Rev. Brett Murphy’s wife, is one, have contacted the Charity Commission.
Bishop Fenwick has courted controversy for a number of years, and it appears this is not an isolated approach to clergy who he believes are a threat to his authority and control.
In May 2021, for example, a letter calling for him to step down was signed by half of the UK’s active FCE clergy, including former Church of England ministers Peter Sanlon and Steven Hanna. The letter said that decisions made by Bishop Fenwick are ‘endangering the peace and future flourishing’ of the denomination.’
Out of the frying pan and into the fire
After leaving the CofE last year, Rev. Murphy has continued to be, in his own words, ‘persecuted’ by a harassment campaign by often anonymous complainants who oppose his orthodox Christian beliefs and the content of his weekly news videos.
Weaponising the Clergy Disciplinary Measure (CDM), opponents brought four complaints against him.
One complaint was brought for him referring to the CofE’s first transgender archdeacon, Rachel Mann, as ‘a bloke.’
In December 2023, all complaints were dismissed, and he went on to increase his church’s attendance, which is aligned with Gafcon, from 2 to 50 people in one year.
However, on the 10 July 2024, Rev. Murphy received a letter from Rev. Dr Robert Stephen. Dr Stephen is General Secretary for the FCE, but is also former Rector of St Mary’s Handsworth in the Diocese of Birmingham.
A series of ‘scattershot’ accusations were enclosed, which included Rev. Murphy having and FCE mug on his desk during a vlog:
“While it was known that you had made a video explaining that you were leaving the Church of England, it was not made sufficiently clear by you when you joined the FCE that you intended to continue releasing online content. You have never discussed the rationale or agreed the parameters of this with your Bishop or the General Secretary. Any attempt to address this with you has been met with accusations that your right to freedom of speech is being interfered with. While you may claim that the views expressed on your ‘vlogs’ are your personal views, they are inevitably associated with the FCE. For example, in your ‘vlog’ of 21st April 2024 an FCE mug is prominently displayed on the desk.”
Dr Stephen also accused Rev. Murphy of being ‘inappropriate’ for criticising the Church Times advertising books under the banner of ‘Queering the Church.’
Rev. Murphy had at the time said in response to the post on X/Twitter: “And the wokies wonder why the CofE is rotting on the vine.”
Rev. Murphy, who is originally from Australia, is also a complementarian and has expressed the belief that women should not be ordained or given leadership roles within the Church.
He believes a spirit of witchcraft has inspired radical feminist movements in general. However he did apologise during the disciplinary if he had offended anyone.
Another allegation levelled against him was for pipe smoking. Dr Stephen wrote: “On 24th March 2024 your Bishop mentioned to you that he does not approve of smoking particularly whilst wearing your clerical collar and identifiable as an FCE Minister”
The accusation, however, completely contradicts Dr Stephens’ own posts and on social media.
Numerous posts and images on X/Twitter and Facebook reveal Dr Stephen smoking a pipe and using tobacco described as ‘heaven.’
Dr Stephen can also be found heavily drinking and promoting beer festivals in the church he once pastored. The advert for one beer festival in his church included drinks called ‘Fallen Angel’ and ‘Vicar’s Ruin.’
Dr Stephen’s wife has also shared numerous posts publicly of heavy drinking, attending parties with male strippers and selling occult products through her business.
Sacked while wife heavily pregnant
Responding to the allegations, Rev. Murphy’s lawyers said the case brought against him was ‘procedurally flawed.’
Accused of breaching the FCE’s social media policy, Rev. Murphy said that the policy was introduced after he had made the posts and therefore could not be used against him retrospectively.
In regards displaying an FCE mug during one of his vlogs, he said: “As to the display of an FCE mug in my post from April 2024, I confirm that I have not displayed it since the vlog in question and for the sake of good relations within our denomination, I undertake to make sure it will not be on display going forwards.”
Rev. Murphy believes the decision to sack him had already been made, however.
Following a hearing, Dr Stephen wrote to him confirming the dismissal: “You will be paid in lieu of notice for a period of three months. You may remain in the Parsonage for a period of three months under the same terms as the Clergy Working Agreement. We are mindful that your personal situation – not least with a child expected – will mean that there may have to be some flexibility in this.”
He concluded the letter saying:
“For those elements of your ministry that have opened up the possibilities of an FCE witness in Morecambe being revitalised, thank you. It is a matter of regret to me personally that it has become clear that your ministry does not ‘fit’ within the Free Church of England.”
Appealing the decision, Rev. Murphy’s lawyers enclosed witness and letters from over 40 members of the congregation complaining about his sacking.
One member of the congregation accused Bishop Fenwick of ‘gaslighting’ ‘antisemitism’, an ‘absence of pastoral care’ and ‘inflammable and harmful rhetoric.’
Another complainant said:
“Bishop Fenwick’s practice of sitting at the back of the church during services was accompanied by frequent glaring at members of the congregation. This behaviour made many individuals feel uncomfortable and intimidated, creating an atmosphere of division rather than one of unity whilst he was attending. The impact of this behaviour cannot be overstated, as it has led to a significant erosion of trust and confidence in his leadership.”
Fundraising appeal raised £148,000
Following the sacking, Rev. Murphy made an urgent appeal on Give Send Go for support to prevent his family becoming homeless and to try and to save his ministry.
Rev. Murphy wrote: “The Murphy family need your help! I have been persecuted time and time again for bravely speaking God’s truth and making a stand for righteousness, putting my head above the battlements, exposing corruption within the church and calling false teachers to repent. Sadly, the most attacks I have suffered have come from within the church. This time is no exception.”
“Ultimately what all this means is that my ministry is under threat. My church family has been ripped apart, and the stress it has put on my own family is immeasurable…” he wrote.
Doorstepped by bishop and police
Overjoyed by the support that followed, the Murphy family began to make plans to continue their ministry and secure their accommodation.
But then the Bishop and police came.
Out of the blue, Bishop Fenwick arrived at the vicarage accompanied by two police officers who were there, they said, to prevent ‘a breach of the peace.’
According to Rev. Murphy, Bishop Fenwick came to the door and said: “Mr Murphy, I have a letter for you to give to the people who are misusing our property at Emmanuel Church.”
Rev. Murphy said that the bishop could give the letter to them himself and that he no longer worked for him. “I am not taking your letter”, he said.
The bishop’s tone dropped, and he said: “I am instructing you to give this letter to your wife.”
When Rev. Murphy asked the bishop politely to leave the property, Bishop Fenwick threw the letter at him, walked away and jumped back in the police car and slammed the door.
Rev. Murphy asked the police for their names and badge numbers, but they refused saying ‘we don’t have to give you anything.’
The visit has added to the stress Mrs Murphy is under and appeared designed to intimidate the family and to bar them from accessing the church.
Church for Jesus in Morecambe
Rev. Murphy said: “I am appalled by what has happened to my family and I and our church community. I am also delighted and encouraged by how people have come out to support us from across the world.
“The hostility and pressure my family and I have been put under has impacted our health and our children.
Added to this, my wife is seven months pregnant with a miracle child, and yet there has been zero compassion or support from Bishop Fenwick or the General Secretary.
“When the bishop and the police arrived at my home, I could not believe it. It felt tyrannical, intimidating and completely unbecoming of a Christian leader.
“I have been persecuted time and time again for bravely speaking God’s truth and making a stand for righteousness, putting my head above the battlements, exposing corruption within the church and calling false teachers to repent. Sadly, the most attacks I have suffered have come from within the church. This time is no exception.
“I have done nothing other than exercise my freedom and to call out what I believe in unequivocal terms to be wrong in the Church.
“The investigation was scattershot and a show trial. The hypocrisy of some of the allegations brought against me, especially by Dr Stephen who also clearly enjoys a pipe and is a heavy drinker, is at best laughable and at worst highly deceitful.
“I am devastated that I encouraged so many people to join and engage with the FCE only for me to experience and discover the moral and spiritual bankruptcy that lies at its heart. Urgent changes are needed to enable faithful orthodox Christian clergy, passionate about truth and God’s word, to have a denomination to work within without fear of internal persecution.
“Despite Bishop Fenwick changing the locks on the church building and bringing in the police, we will not be intimidated. My church community and I will battle on and will continue to seek to grow and build a church for Jesus in Morecambe.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Brett Murphy is the latest in a line of faithful clergy, abandoned and hurt by the CofE who sought a home in the FCE, only to find the same issues or worse.
“The mark of a passionate vibrant Christian faith is the ability of a man to grow a church. Brett has done this, and his community love him. To remove him and his young family from the church and home is cruel. What would possess leaders in the FCE to throw out a man from his church and home after seeing such amazing growth and joy in a congregation seeking to serve Jesus at the heart of their community.
“Bishop Fenwick has serious questions to answer.”
