Sizer Tribunal: ‘Anti-Semitic behaviour,’ ‘conduct unbecoming’ & ‘implausible and untrue’ account

Nicola Laver  |  UK & Ireland
Date posted:  1 Jan 2023
Share Add       
Sizer Tribunal: ‘Anti-Semitic behaviour,’ ‘conduct  unbecoming’ & ‘implausible and untrue’ account

Stephen Sizer leaving Church House after the Tribunal | photos: Nicola Laver

After years of controversy, Stephen Sizer has been found to have engaged in anti-Semitic behaviour by sharing a ‘deeply abhorrent’ online article about 9-11, knowing it would be offensive to the Jewish community.

And in a damning indictment of Sizer’s credibility, a bishop’s disciplinary Tribunal cast doubt on his honesty – rejecting parts of his evidence as ‘implausible and untrue’. It also ruled that Sizer had engaged in a ‘regrettable pattern of behaviour’ that fell short of the standard expected of an ordained minister.

The 69-year-old retired evangelical vicar faced discipline under the Clergy Disciplinary Measure (CDM) 2003 after a complaint by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. It followed several incidents between 2005 and 2018 in which Sizer, well known for his opposition to Christian Zionism, shared online articles and associated with or shared platforms with anti-Jewish and pro-Palestinian figures.

Share
< Previous article| UK & Ireland| Next article >
Read more articles by Nicola Laver >>
UK & Ireland
Jonathan Fletcher trial delayed to 2026

Jonathan Fletcher trial delayed to 2026

The trial of former vicar Jonathan Fletcher has been postponed to May 2026 to enable the defence to obtain expert …

UK & Ireland
Report calls for new Freedom of Religion Act

Report calls for new Freedom of Religion Act

An in-depth report on abortion buffer zones says there are serious issues around freedom of belief, religion and speech. The …

Give a subscription

Our monthly newspaper is the perfect gift for those who love to think deeply

Give here

About en

Our vision, values and history

Read more