Ministers apologise for insult to Pope

[didymus]

The Telegraph:

Ministers apologise for insult to Pope

  		 				 					** The Government has apologised to the Pope over official documents that  mocked    his forthcoming visit to Britain by suggesting he should bless a gay    marriage and even launch Papal-branded condoms.  **

The astonishing proposals, leaked to The Sunday Telegraph, were contained in secret papers drawn up earlier this month by civil servants following a 'brainstorm’.
The ideas, included in a memo headed 'The ideal visit would see …’, ridiculed the Catholic Church’s teachings including its opposition to abortion, homosexual behaviour and contraception. Many appeared to be deliberately provocative rather than a serious attempt to plan an itinerary for the September visit.

The proposals, which were then circulated among key officials in Downing Street and Whitehall, also include the Pope opening an abortion ward; spending the night in a council flat in Bradford; doing forward rolls with children to promote healthy living; and even performing a duet with the Queen.

[sigh]

 

[Santi2]

This is more than outrageous.

“The individual responsible has been transferred to other duties. He has been told orally and in writing that this was a serious error of judgement and has accepted this view…

The “ideal visit” list was circulated within Whitehall by a junior Foreign Office official, an Oxbridge graduate in his 20s.

Transferred?!!! Error of judgement is inexcusable. The individual ought to be sacked.

 

[Dale_M]

The brainstorming session sounds as if it were out of control. But when the boys and girls start clowning around instead of working, its up to the senior staff to bring them into order.

This apparently didn’t happen. And worse, the jokes were written up and sent out as a memo throughout the government… which was a second incident of lack of oversight.

Those two incidents suggest a need for revamping how the Foreign Office operates. And the light reprimands received by the guilty make me wonder if those reforms will occur.

 

[JohnT58]

Thats where your’e hard earned taxes go.

 

[Non_Serviam]

This is at least as offensive as the memo from the British PR officer who told the government to publish any bad news amidst the reporting of 9/11 so no one would notice it.

One wonders if this might have been done deliberately by a couple of idiots in the hopes that the Pope might be offended and cancel his visit.

 

[Santi2]

The brainstorming session sounds as if it were out of control. But when the boys and girls start clowning around instead of working, its up to the senior staff to bring them into order.

This apparently didn’t happen. And worse, the jokes were written up and sent out as a memo throughout the government… which was a second incident of lack of oversight.

Those two incidents suggest a need for revamping how the Foreign Office operates. And the light reprimands received by the guilty make me wonder if those reforms will occur.

Clowning around? I seriously doubt it.

 

[csuliman]

If these staff are like most political staff, they are often young men and women. This probably was a bit of inside fun and a mistake was made that resulted in the memo being exposed.

I take it as a bit of college level fun. God knows I make fun of what I consider weird about other religions when I am with my close friends. That is why shows like South Park are so funny.

 

[Santi2]

This is at least as offensive as the memo from the British PR officer who told the government to publish any bad news amidst the reporting of 9/11 so no one would notice it.

One wonders if this might have been done deliberately by a couple of idiots in the hopes that the Pope might be offended and cancel his visit.

And that officer was publicly named and sacked for her mischief. On this occasion, the Foreign Office treats the matter with a mere slap in the wrist.

 

[Santi2]

If these staff are like most political staff, they are often young men and women. This probably was a bit of inside fun and a mistake was made that resulted in the memo being exposed.

I take it as a bit of college level fun. God knows I make fun of what I consider weird about other religions when I am with my close friends. That is why shows like South Park are so funny.

Yes, the Foreign Office puts the blame on a lackey. However, according to the report:

The Papal Visit Team reports to Dame Helen Ghosh, the permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and ultimately to Jim Murphy, the Scotland Secretary, who is responsible for the trip.

The “ideal visit” list was circulated within Whitehall by a junior Foreign Office official, an Oxbridge graduate in his 20s.

In an emailed memo dated March 5, headed “Policy planning ahead of the Pope’s visit”, he invited senior colleagues to attend an “inter-faith meeting” the following week to discuss themes for the visit.

Attached to the memo were three “background documents”, including the “ideal visit” list, which he said would form the basis of discussions. He added in the memo: "Please protect; these should not be shared externally. The ‘ideal visit’ paper in particular was the product of a brainstorm which took into account even the most far-fetched of ideas

 

[amhara]

I was going to post this. This is disgusting, I tell you, the Devil is having a field day at the moment.

 

[Teelynn]

And that officer was publicly named and sacked for her mischief. On this occasion, the Foreign Office treats the matter with a mere slap in the wrist.

If it were up to me…the “Junior Foreign Office Official” would be GONE!!! AND GONE YESTERDAY!! This is beyond disgusting. I can’t even think of a word that adequately describes this incident.

BTW, I did see a link on the page of this article that said the Pope is reconsidering his visit due to the viciousness of the attacks. Haven’t read it yet, but possibly will post it after reading.

 

[Santi2]

If it were up to me…the “Junior Foreign Office Official” would be GONE!!! AND GONE YESTERDAY!! This is beyond disgusting. I can’t even think of a word that adequately describes this incident.

BTW, I did see a link on the page of this article that said the Pope is reconsidering his visit due to the viciousness of the attacks. Haven’t read it yet, but possibly will post it after reading.

I do not think that the Holy Father would want to cancel his visit. However, I would not blame Vatican officials if they consider cancellation. It seems to be that the Foreign Office and the government are cosy with those who are keen to harm the Holy Father in one way or another. A background into why one suspects it is so.

independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/harriet-harman-defends-equality-legislation-following-popes-criticism-1887256.html

telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5723177/Homosexual-weddings-should-be-celebrated-in-church-says-Chris-Bryant.html

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1261246/Europe-Minister-Chris-Bryant-ties-knot-Parliaments-gay-wedding.html