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What the Vicar Said to the Press |
Years ago when I left Herne
Bay in Kent I was given a gift by the local newspaper for
supporting the local newspaper as the local Vicar. I was
very moved by this gesture.
You may not know but clergy
are quite useful to the press, because unlike so many people
they live and work locally, visit the schools, shops, and
factories, and are generally known about the town. When a
new reporter comes to work in Fakenham I always make the
same comment, ‘I will supply you with lots of news, some of
it will be extremely sad, but most of it will be funny or
just interesting’.
In return the local press
will telephone me if there is a news story and ask for my
comments. I have learnt over the years to be careful with
the press and that an unguarded comment can lead to a
headline which you often see - ’Vicar bans young people
from church’, ‘Vicar promotes sex before marriage’, or more
interestingly, ‘Vicar loves married women’, – all true
statements, but all have double meanings. Today clergy are
given training in handling the press, and now I always make
a written statement when asked to make a comment, and then
get a member of staff to vet it! I have made mistakes in the
past.
Last Friday I called a press
conference to give details of how I will be helping the
local community during this recession, and last week the
press asked my comments on women Bishops.
Both subjects are dear to my
heart and both have caused difficulty because people have
strong views. When I wrote a letter to the EDP – (Eastern
Daily Press) our local daily newspaper, in favour of women
Bishops I was amazed at the telephone calls I received. One
Anglican Priest telephoned to say that I was a disgrace, and
another call from a retired priest living in Walsingham
(near the Shrine) telephoned to congratulate me. You can
never judge people from where they live.
Clergy often use the press
to promote the Gospel and the work of the church and most
local reporters know that. So the EDP church news this week
announced, ‘Wedding of the Year’, as Year 2 from Fakenham
Infant School came to church for a mock wedding as they
learnt about Christian marriage as part of their RE
syllabus. Into Church came Grace walking down the aisle with
her ’Father’, and 6 bridesmaids to be greeted by a grinning
class heart throb, Adam, and the reluctant best man with the
plastic rings. The sight was extraordinary as the organist
played ‘Here comes the Bride’. Although Adam
refused to give Grace a kiss, Grace gave him a wonderful
kiss instead as everyone clapped. The service was followed
by a full wedding reception in school. This was R.E. at it
best. Our new local EDP reporter, also called Adam, was
there and he gave an excellent report in the local press.
Jesus used parables,
sayings, sermons, and healings to promote the Gospel. I do
believe that the Church today could well use the press in a
more positive way. We all know of the reports in the press
of, ‘Vicar found in bed with .......’ stories, or ’Vicar
Imprisioned for stealing....’ stories. Where would the
Sunday press be without these sad stories? But actually the
press can be used for good, and most Dioceses now have a
press officer working to help the Church of England improve
its image, and about time to.
Adrian Bell
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