Secular, diverse, and worldly Britain is the kind of modern society that the pope has wanted to reach with his message urging deeper religious tradition and faith. In his first speech this morning, the pontiff extended the “hand of friendship” to British people.
But despite an itinerary of bagpiper parades and meetings with current and former heads of state, the British aren’t swooning. In fact, there’s a distinct lack of reverence in the air. A Times of London poll this week shows favorable opinion for the pope’s visit in Britain at only 14 percent.
Talk about the pope’s visit instead centers on the $18 million price tag for papal security at a time of severe budget cuts. Priestly child-abuse issues have vied in the media with statements by celebrities and intellectuals opposing Vatican teachings on abortion and gay rights that are considered out of step with mainstream Britain. London bus banners read: “Pope Benedict, Ordain Women Now!”
[blockquote]London bus banners read: “Pope Benedict, Ordain Women Now!â€[/blockquote]
They’d have just as good of a shot if women in London wore banners reading “Pope Benedict, Ordain Buses Now!”
Talk about the Pope’s visit centers on the $18m price tag
Well the media talk about little else in relation to the Pope’s visit (plus of course child abuse) so I suppose it is accurate of the media to report that they talk about nothing else. Rather circular if the you ask me.
I think it is important to look at the reporting of the actual events, rather than the chattering in some parts of the media. It is a pity that CSM has fallen into this trap. It turns out that these 50 leading signatories of the letter are in fact the usual suspects from the secular and humanist societies. Then there are professional atheists like Dawkins, Fry and company, but again they get a lot of media exposure for some reason, but I am not sure they have much of a constituency.
There won’t be much ‘respect’, but then we don’t give anybody this because of their position, but there is is courteous and friendly interest, and a willingness on the part of both Catholics and non-Catholics to listen to what the Pope has to say.
There has been and is concern about the taxpayer cost which has skyrocketed, and the ticket allocation, like the organisation until very recently for this visit has been shambolic, both on the part of the Catholic Church, and the British Government. It has taken the emergency appointment of Lork Patten to bring things on track, and like the best events, you would be hard pressed to see anything except smooth organisation today [although one did wonder where the red carpet at Edinburgh airport got to].
I expect the rest of the visit will continue with a warm welcome and good manners, all of which should leave the apoplectic scribblers and letter writers of the Guardian puce in the face and seething at their manifest impotence, notwithstanding the ridiculous attention being paid to them by some in the media here and abroad.
All of which is immensely enjoyable to see.