Sex-change chaplain stays on

The Bishop of Chichester has "concerns"

A hospital chaplain planning a sex-change operation is being asked to resign by her bishop.

The former Christopher Beardsley, who is now known as Christina, works at Southlands Hospital, Shoreham, West Sussex.

The Right Reverend John Hind has called on her to relinquish the post over the issue of what he calls "gender re-assignation".

The chaplain, who is now working at the hospital as a woman, has so far refused to leave.

She claims to have been paid several compliments by ward patients.

Legal position

Dr Beardsley, who has been a priest for 20 years, is now contemplating a full sex-change operation.

Under law she cannot be forced to relinquish her licence to practice as a chaplain.

But the Diocese of Chichester has withdrawn support and is asking her to give up her licence voluntarily.

Bishop Hind says he has "concerns" for the chaplain, hospital patients and staff.

The chaplain's employer, the Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust, supports Dr Beardsley's decision and says it has received no complaints.