Religious responsibility - If ruling is abused it will be revoked

THIS week’s ruling from the European Commission that religious bodies can dismiss or refuse to employ people in their schools or hospitals who, they believe, do not share their ethos has provoked a strong reaction.

The Congress of Trade Unions and the teachers’ unions have consistently expressed their opposition to the principle over a number of years. Others fear that such rulings facilitate improper discrimination and have no place in a progressive society.

But, is it not illogical to expect someone who hasestablished a school or a hospital to advance a set of beliefs to employ a person who would actively oppose those beliefs?