22 June 2015

English Public Schools

I accidentally heard the 'Sunday Service' on the Home Service. It consisted of a paean of praise for some place called Wellington College (over here we are still wallowing in self-satisfaction at having just about managed not to lose the battle). Never have I heard such a brazen display of using religion (and, what is far worse, the BBC) in order to promote the fortunes of a fee-paying establishment. It included a cameo 'appearance' by Sir Anthony 'Shameless' Selden himself, reading the 'College Prayer'. Arthur Wellesley is now (equipollently?) canonised, and Welly Colly is his shrine.

Better news about Winchester College, or rather, about everyone's favourite Wyccamical bishop (is he the only one? I suspect so. How are the mighty fallen!). From him we now hear positive talk about Russian Orthodoxy; and even use of S John Paul's phrase about the Church "breathing with two lungs"! Ecumenism seems to be infiltrating 'the Resistance'!! Where will it all end!!! Three cheers for the Bishop of Broadstairs!!!! ... er ... up to a point, Lord Copper ...

6 comments:

Stephen Barber said...

Isn't Lancing also a fee-paying establishment?

Fr John Hunwicke said...

It most certainly is, and I hope it would never use Public Service Broadcasting to promote itself in this sort of way.

Adrian said...

I have to say I thought it was a spoof when it began. But dear Fr Hunwicke, isn't 'Public Service Broadcasting' something of an Americanism?

Fifi's machine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aitch said...

I thought it was a standard Sunday morning BBC 'hymn buttie' - worn out hymns, snippets of scripture and an address on whatever the special theme of the day was, anything but that in any church's calendar. Themes like empowerment or awareness raising (what does that actually mean, by the way?) are much favoured. This particular service was all of that plus a very large helping of 'State Relgion', I didn't listen to it all as I had to leave for Mass.

Fr Ashley Beck said...

I heard the service too,in disbelief. It was almost a parody of Christian worship