Archbishop Welby's statement

[Hope]

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5704/a-personal-statement-from-the-archbishop-of-canterbury

A very powerful anbd gracious statement, which highlights the fact that genetic history needn't control our lives.

[Rhiannon]

It wasn't that long ago that society would have demanded his resignation as a result of this. Isn't it a good thing that society has moved on, Hope?

[floo]

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5704/a-personal-statement-from-the-archbishop-of-canterbury

A very powerful anbd gracious statement, which highlights the fact that genetic history needn't control our lives.

I think the AofC has handled, what must have been a very difficult discovery, with great dignity.

[L.A.]

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5704/a-personal-statement-from-the-archbishop-of-canterbury

A very powerful anbd gracious statement, which highlights the fact that genetic history needn't control our lives.

I can see why it's a big deal for him, but does it really justify the headlines it is getting?

[Gordon]

I can see why it's a big deal for him, but does it really justify the headlines it is getting?

I had the same thought too: seems to me that this is a private matter that has no place in the public domain.

[Shaker]

I had the same thought too: seems to me that this is a private matter that has no place in the public domain.

I don't disagree at all, but this whole thing has been a media concoction from the word go - apparently the Torygraph approached Welby after carrying out research into his family background.

Why, goodness only knows.

[Rhiannon]

More to the point, why on earth did he agree to DNA testing as a result? It's a middle class version of The Jeremy Kyle Show.

[Shaker]

More to the point, why on earth did he agree to DNA testing as a result? It's a middle class version of The Jeremy Kyle Show.

Now there's an edition of that odious programme I could be induced to watch, with sufficient remuneration.

"On today's show we've got Justin, who's sixty and from Kent ..."

[L.A.]

I had the same thought too: seems to me that this is a private matter that has no place in the public domain.

If it had been (for example) Prince Harry, then there might be a public interest argument - but does anyone really give a damn about the ABofC's parentage?

[floo]

I can see why it's a big deal for him, but does it really justify the headlines it is getting?

I was very surprised that it had the number one slot on the BBC News yesterday, as it is a personal matter for the AofC, not a world shaking event.

[Shaker]

I was very surprised that it had the number one slot on the BBC News yesterday, as it is a personal matter for the AofC, not a world shaking event.

It has shaken somebody's world - that's why I'm really very uncomfortable with this sort of thing being splashed across the papers and the Web. It ought to have been a matter for the Archbish, Mrs Archbish and the Welbyettes to come to terms with in private, in their own time.

[Rhiannon]

I agree. It affects nobody outside of his family at all.

[Shaker]

Naked prurience, like so much of what is fobbed off on us as 'news' these days. Max Mosley being the prime example.

[Rhiannon]

To an extent. I think in this case there is also a big dollop of morality policing going on. I suspect that the Torygraph wants people to question Welby's background and therefore his suitability for his job.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Floo,

It's news, a story, a narrative, we all love a good narrative, the AoC is out there, not like you and me, the little people, nobody would give a fig if they found out my real father was wee Archie from down the street, names have been dropped, Churchill, mention anything about Churchill, no matter how loose the connection people will want to read about it.

Also the man is the top guy in a large religious organisation but he has a flawed past, he is human just like you and me.

But ( always a but ) compare this to the other headline we all have read about, Mr Cameron is a dirty tax avoiding swindler, but then again, he is only human, a lying cheating tax avoiding human, but ( three buts, should be a law against it ) that is only my human opinion.

Gonnagle.

[floo]

Dear Floo,

It's news, a story, a narrative, we all love a good narrative, the AoC is out there, not like you and me, the little people, nobody would give a fig if they found out my real father was wee Archie from down the street, names have been dropped, Churchill, mention anything about Churchill, no matter how loose the connection people will want to read about it.

Also the man is the top guy in a large religious organisation but he has a flawed past, he is human just like you and me.

But ( always a but ) compare this to the other headline we all have read about, Mr Cameron is a dirty tax avoiding swindler, but then again, he is only human, a lying cheating tax avoiding human, but ( three buts, should be a law against it ) that is only my human opinion.

Gonnagle.

I happen to think Welby is one of the good guys, but the PM has a much more prestigious position in the country than a mere cleric, however high up he is in the CofE chain of command.

[Brownie]

I can see why it's a big deal for him, but does it really justify the headlines it is getting?

It wasn't him that wanted the publicity, LA.  He didn't start the ball rolling but, as it was going to come out anyway, he wanted to make a statement.

I agree with floo and others that he has handled such a personal business, gone public, with tremendous dignity.

DNA profiling etc is wonderful when it comes to catching criminals and medical stuff but, honestly, a DNA database that the press can get a hold of?  Is nothing private?  We were discussing something akin to this on here the other day.  He has an elderly mother who has had all sorts of personal stuff brought out because of this, I'm sure she didn't want that.  Things she has overcome and left behind, never mind her brief liaison with the biological father of the AofC.

It's all a bit ''Eastenders''.

[/quote] Rhiannon: It wasn't that long ago that society would have demanded his resignation as a result of this. Isn't it a good thing that society has moved on, Hope? [/quote]

Not just Hope, Rhiannon, I'm sure we are all glad that society has moved on.  For one thing, illegitimate children are no longer discriminated against (as if it was ever their fault anyway).

[L.A.]

It wasn't him that wanted the publicity, LA.  He didn't start the ball rolling but, as it was going to come out anyway, he wanted to make a statement.

I agree with floo and others that he has handled such a personal business, gone public, with tremendous dignity.

DNA profiling etc is wonderful when it comes to catching criminals and medical stuff but, honestly, a DNA database that the press can get a hold of?  Is nothing private?  We were discussing something akin to this on here the other day.  He has an elderly mother who has had all sorts of personal stuff brought out because of this, I'm sure she didn't want that.  Things she has overcome and left behind, never mind her brief liaison with the biological father of the AofC.

It's all a bit ''Eastenders''.

 Rhiannon: It wasn't that long ago that society would have demanded his resignation as a result of this. Isn't it a good thing that society has moved on, Hope?

Not just Hope, Rhiannon, I'm sure we are all glad that society has moved on.  For one thing, illegitimate children are no longer discriminated against (as if it was ever their fault anyway).

I'm not criticizing him (though I suppose he was asking for trouble when he agreed to the test), it's more a sad reflection on what the media regard as 'newsworthy' - and on us for buying into it!

[floo]

I'm not criticizing him (though I suppose he was asking for trouble when he agreed to the test), it's more a sad reflection on what the media regard as 'newsworthy' - and on us for buying into it!

I agree.

[Enki]

Like others, not sure what all the fuss is about. My father wasn't actually my real father as I found out about 15 years ago. It didn't affect me particularly then or now. I didn't see it as any big deal. I still think of my dad as the person who helped bring me up, and I didn't think any less of my mother for whatever went on in her private life.

I think that quite a few people have been in a similar position, whether they know it or not.

[Brownie]

Quote from: L.A. on Today at 11:29:42 AM
I'm not criticizing him (though I suppose he was asking for trouble when he agreed to the test), it's more a sad reflection on what the media regard as 'newsworthy' - and on us for buying into it!

Floo:  I agree

So do I agree.  Hopefully a nine day wonder (or less).  Tomorrow's chip paper and all that.

[Sebastian Toe]

Not just Hope, Rhiannon, I'm sure we are all glad that society has moved on.  For one thing, illegitimate children are no longer discriminated against (as if it was ever their fault anyway).

....and for another thing society has moved on to allow homosexual marriage.

Hmm, not sure Hope is too happy about that? 

[Shaker]

....and for another thing society has moved on to allow homosexual marriage.

Hmm, not sure Hope is too happy about that? 

Damaging to society, apparently.

Not that he's ever scrupled to state exactly why he thinks this is the case, of course ...

[Brownie]

Blimey, the H subject even pops up on here  .

[Rhiannon]

I'm sure Hope won't mind.