Catholics must be considering their usual allegiance to Labour. Taught from their Catechism that the man who is Pope is as vulnerable to falling into sin as any other Christian but that in the exercise of his office as Peter's successor and Vicar of Christ he is guided by the Holy Ghost and, on occasion, infallible, the popiness of him demands respect. And a state visit to this country is a papal, if temporal, act. With spiritual aspects.
If the insults offered to the spiritual duties laid upon roman Catholics had come from an ostensibly political source they would have been less offensive; many find the politics of others offensive and it is recognised that politicians are, therefore, likely to attract opprobrium. But these insults to the spiritual duties Catholics embrace came from those who Catholics, along with others, pay to carry out state organisational tasks. From a permanent establishment apparently infected and the infection condoned.
To publish a political and cultural assault upon the Catholic tenets of chastity, marriage, the sanctity of life at conception, the creation of humanity in God's image, as well as the implied criticism of indulgence in the sin of an over-luxurious personal life-style, makes plain that the spiritual weight of the papal visit is recognised. This not just a temporal head of state visiting another, and England is not just any country in its spiritual status. Hence, presumably, the sheer venemous vulgarity of the mode of attack.
None of the civil servants involved should have remained in post. They have betrayed more than inappropriate attitudes to their work, they have spat hatred at millions of their fellow citizens, and attempted to assert cultural beliefs and values which, in fairness, have become associated with Labour only relatively recently, in the last half century. Clearly the attitudes betrayed in the documents circulated - bound to emerge despite futile attempts to limit their publication and now known to us all - are widespread enough in government departments to require more senior staff to be removed as well.
The Church is right to feel profoundly disturbed by this manifestation and will be even more concerned at what kinds of dangers now threaten the faithful in a country where the ruling political party embodies such attitudes and encourages their embedding into what is supposed to be apolitical administration. The advice it offers to the faithful must be under urgent reconsideration.
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7 comments:
hmm, I don't think I agree:
I think that if the Pope is to leave the Vatican and come and parade up and down the streets of Britain, then not only celebration and adulation, but also protest and objection is appropriate - even invited.
I see parallels with the Olympic torch in 2008: I don't generally spend a lot of time worrying about China, but when the Chinese paraded their torch down Whitehall in order to receive the admiration of the British it stirred me from my complacency and I turned out to boo them. I shall do the same for the Pope when he comes.
The surprising thing about the FO memo was not that it was written (these things happen) but how long it circulated unchecked. A good few people in the FO must have seen it, understood the impact, and turned a blind eye. That is intriguing.
They should publish a Polish translation of that brainstorm, so as not to leave out an important ethnic minority in this country.
I can't believe the quality of civil servant we have nowadays.
It's not surprising: it's the WYAFIWYG principle: What You Ask For Is What You Get.
I never thought the FCO could endear itself to me so deeply. Benedict Condoms: I will never wear any other brand.
I have no time for any religion and would seek to encourage anyone to question their faith. Pointing out that current knowledge, evidence and archaic opinions of religious leaders casts serious doubt on the veracity of that which is based on faith alone.
However I do not believe holding a faith up to ridicule is acceptable behaviour.
On second thoughts if ridiculous practices and ridiculous opinions are held then they should be exposed by ridicule if necessary.
Better by reasoned argument but have you ever tried reason with someone who holds a belief on faith alone.
Bloody nigh impossible.
I hold no torch for Roman Catholicism, or the hierarchies of any of the churches; nevertheless, this was the act of a very debased government. Is this what passes for "progressive" thinking in Miliband's department
Yes, Elby; it is a post about debased government; and as S notes, there is an enormous Catholic constituency that has come to settle in the country in the last few years. The religious shift from the east European immigration tends to be forgotten but they all can vote in the local elections, and soon will be a force in national elections too.
I hope there will be objection to this visit but not in these terms. Labour's not a party for Catholics to vote for any more.
Viva il Papa (o chi ne fa le feci)
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