Fired minister takes church to court
Presbyterian Minister Rev Clifford Rawlins has filed a lawsuit against the Church of Scotland claiming damages for breach of contract after the church terminated his employment in January. The church claimed, among other things, that Rev Rawlins had "inappropriate" material on the office computer, an allegation Rev Rawlins has vehemently denied. Additionally, he is claiming that he did not get an opportunity to deny the allegation. In his writ, Rev Rawlins named certain members of the church whom he accused of wrongfully and maliciously setting about to destroy his career as a minister of the Church of Scotland in Trinidad. He is asking for damages with interest and costs. In legal documents filed in the Registry of the Port-of-Spain High Court by attorney Justin Phelps, Rev Rawlins has also named church member Ray Sumairsingh as the person instrumental in hiring him. According to Rev Rawlins, by oral agreement, in October 2003, between the church in the person of Sumairsingh, an agreement was reached to employ him as associate minister from December 1, 2003, at a salary of $60,000 per year, plus accommodation or allowance in lieu, and a vehicle with all expenses paid. Rev Rawlins stated that by an undated letter delivered to him about June 17, 2004, a senior member of the church maliciously accused him of having runaway ambitions and exuberance in worship. He said he was also accused of being the major problem in the church, and it was suggested that he should not receive a formal contract of employment. Rev Rawlins claimed that on June 26, 2004, a pastorate committee was wrongfully convened to investigate him. He also alleged that four days later a meeting was convened and more wrongful allegations were made against him. He said he was directed to see a psychologist. Sometime later, he said, a member of the church falsely and maliciously reported to Dr Judy Hinkson, a psychologist, that he, Rawlins, needed the service of a psychologist because of inappropriate material on the office computer. On July 1, 2004, Rev Rawlins claimed that he was directed by the church not to conduct his duties pursuant to his employment, but instead to work as an apprentice to Rev Harold Sitahal, who was brought out of retirement. According to his statement, some of the local members reported him to the church’s governing body — the Board of World Mission (BWM) — where they renewed their allegation that he has been associated with "inappropriate material on a computer." The BWM e-mailed Rev Rawlins on August 30, 2004, informing him that he was asked to seek counselling because of the "material" allegation. He emphasised that the allegation was false, and that the BWM never gave him an opportunity to defend it.
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"Fired minister takes church to court"