A PRIEST within the diocese of London has been evicted from the vicarage that he occupied for six years after he was deemed to be retired. The Revd Paul Williamson was the Priest-in-Charge of St George’s, Hanworth, from 1992 until he reached retirement age in 2018.
He consistently disputed the established policy, and mounted several legal challenges in an try and stay in post. None was successful, and he remained within the diocesan property in Middlesex until this week, when a court eviction notice, dated 17 June, stated that he can be removed if not out by 9 June.
On leaving the property, Fr Williamson addressed the bailiffs together with a gaggle of friends, former colleagues, and parishioners. He unscrewed a crucifix from the front door, and said that he can be sending a spare key to the King as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
“You might be an MP, a member of the House of Lords, made a king, be a musician, an actor, or a TV presenter over the age of 70, but not a priest in office in a parish within the Church of England. Our late dear Queen was in office and energetic until age 96. The apostles didn’t retire from their office.”
Speaking to the Church Times afterwards, Fr Williamson said that he had “felt suicidal through the specter of eviction, and have maintained all along that this matter is about age discrimination. My common tenure doesn’t have retirement on the age of 70, and I even have been fighting that.
“I’m staying on the youth-club headquarters near the rectory, supported by friends and surrounded by boxes and bags. I even have left the property relatively clear, but now need to take the case to the Supreme Court. Lady Hale said there isn’t a exemption to discrimination that will not be overturned by human rights.”
Two years ago, his appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, based on alleged age discrimination, was dismissed by its President, Mrs Justice Eady, and he was described as a “vexatious litigant” going back to a Civil Proceedings Order made against him in 1997 (News, 23 August 2022). He has also continually said that he now not has any money for further legal fees.
A spokesperson for the diocese of London said: “The Revd Paul Williamson’s tenure in office got here to an end in 2018 when he turned 70. His licence was prolonged for a six-month period, to twenty-eight April 2019, and he was given additional time to remain within the rectory until July 2019. He has remained within the rectory rent-free until now, requiring the diocese to supply alternative accommodation for clergy ministering within the parish.
“Mr Williamson’s eviction follows the issuing of a possession order by Staines County Court. The diocese has offered pastoral and practical support to Mr Williamson over the past six years, and has done so again ahead of today, including the offer of help to find suitable accommodation, which we’re reassured to know he has secured.”
