The United Church of Canada and Rev. Gretta Vosper, the notorious “atheist” minister, have agreed on secret terms to settle the issue of her non-conforming beliefs. Vosper was set to face a potentially messy de-frocking trial later this month. The settlement may leave many wondering what they are supposed to believe, even among parishioners of this most liberal of Christian faiths in Canada. The confidential settlement somehow permits Rev Gretta to minister to her congregation at West Hill United Church notwithstanding her previously outspoken repudiation of a belief in God, Christ and the teaching of the Bible. The Church told Canadian Press “that the formal hearing had been called off in light of the agreement. It said the Right Rev. Richard Bott, who was elected in July to lead the United Church in Canada, expressed pleasure with the resolution. Rev. Bott is said to have acknowledged the controversy that has been swirling around Vosper and the church’s initiative to fire her. “As a Christian church, we continue to expect that ministers in the United Church of Canada will offer their leadership in accordance with our shared and agreed upon statements of faith, Bott said.” Vosper’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, called it an important day for the United Church that his client no longer was at risk of sanction. “Both parties took a long look at the cost-benefit at running a heresy trial and whether it was good for anyone (and) the results speak for themselves,” Falconer said. “They recognized there’s a place for Gretta, and that there is no reason to separate the minister and the congregation.” United Church to defrock atheist minister Gretta Vosper
