The FCO, internal blunders and the election

It has now come to light in the press that a junior official and some others in the FCO had prepared a memo of suggestions for the visit of the Pope next September. This has proved to be a total insult to the leader of 1 billion Catholics. We are told the official has been moved to other duties. But what duties and where? Making tea? Scrubbing floors? Making toast? Typing or a foreign assignment in Chad?

The whole revelation is a disgrace and it seems to have come to light weeks after it actually happened, via a leak which is embarrassing to the FCO, the Government and the Labour party as they are in power.

This shows a deepening secularist tone within the government which has shown its colours and will indeed now reap what they have sown on May 6.

Britain is not a Christian country. It has external signs and paraphernalia that focus on the Church of England, but that's about it. Its a hatch, match and dispatch Church of England that has lost any moral claim to belief or anything that counts for belief here. That's why it has so many unresolved problems.

The writings in the FCO only show what disrespect is shown to the leader of the Catholic Church and his upcoming visit to the UK which is likely to be marked by widespread demonstrations and disruptions for the incumbent government. It may well prove very embarrassing for the country and how it is seen overseas.

But remember, Catholics may number only one twelfth of the population here, but they are a group of believers who were only allowed to practice their faith again from the early 19th century after 300 years of persecution.

The Catholic faith was the foundation of belief in Britain from the 6th century and for another 10 centuries during which time it built great cathedrals and monasteries. It was this faith that was brought to Britain by Augustine and came to be part of the fabric of British life.

The scene now in 2010 is far different. The Church of England holds no moral authority and although the state religion is ineffectual, weak, lame and without a faith compass.

This is the milieu we live in today and it has penetrated the offices of state, due much to the non-belief of cabinet ministers. The vast majority are afraid to show the minimum of belief in God. They are terrified of showing or admitting belief in God. What weakness.

This is not the case with Barack Obama. Why not? He often invokes God and at a recent prayer breakfast spoke about the place of God, Christ and faith in human life.

Britain's place in the diplomatic world has been harmed by certain inept, childish officials. They ought be sacked.

The labour party will lose more votes due to the FCO officials disrespect.

25 April