I'm definitely putting my hat in the ring to be the next ABC. Seated behind the Queen at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, how cool is that? OK, so the Olympics won't come back to London for a few years but there must be other sporting events the next ABC could grace. Wimbledon. Lord's. Twickenham. Wembley. And I am a sports nut. I wouldn't just be putting in an appearance.
As for opera and stuff, there is a deputy-ABC isn't there?
Anyway, some commenters here think I have a few flaws. So in case I don't get the nod from Dave (I as a bit rude about his ecclesiastical expertise in my previous post), why don't you put your hat in the ring too?
Just be sure you know more about sport than I do!
Who won the FA Cup in 1949?
ReplyDeleteMalcolm
On reflection, Peter, you could offer yourself to taken on the role that the other Rowan - Atkinson has played at the Games Opening. You might have a better chance of acceptance. BUT, can you make funny faces?
ReplyDeletePeter, the Abp was also near the Queen at the Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace...not necessarily because he wants to be there but he has to be there since constitutionally he is the highest ranking non-royal in the UK's order of precedence and as such is commanded to attend upon the monarch. One of our quaintnesses.
ReplyDeletePerry Butler, Canterbury UK
Malcolm: don't know but that was the year Bert Sutcliffe scored over 2000 runs on NZ's tour of England in which all three tests were drawn. You are definitely in with a shot and should put your hat in the ring.
ReplyDeletePerry: Pop concerts too!
Ron: To misquote another British comedy classic, if pulling faces are involved in me becoming one Rowan or another Rowan, "I am doomed. Doomed, I tell you."
I'd put my hat in the ring, but given that I'm not a citizen of a Commonwealth realm, and I'm not ordained, my chances would be even less than yours.
ReplyDeleteI agree Paul that not being a Commonwealth citizen is an impediment re becoming the ABC. I do not agree with you about ordination, lack thereof.
ReplyDeleteProviding you have a few days to spare, the lack of ordination is not an impediment: deacon, priest and bishop can be accomplished at a few days notice before installation as ABC.
So I guess this will be the year the the US emerges to dominate the world of International Soccer by winning Olympic Gold. Brazil gives way. Germany bows her head. Spain retreats from the field. The Sun rises on a new dawn. It was always inevitable. And then we set about changing the name to 'Fédération Internationale de Soccer Association."
ReplyDeletecarl
Bending like a Beckham freekick, Carl, I see your hat curving gently through the air before landing neatly in the ABC ring :) I think you would bring the forgotten ABC virtue of clear-thinking to the role!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you would make a better ABC than Rowan, Peter.
ReplyDeleteKurt Hill
Brooklyn, NY
From deacon to archbishop in a couple of days might have worked for Thomas Becket, but I'm not sure how it would go today. And it didn't turn out well for Becket in the end either.
ReplyDelete"From deacon to archbishop in a couple of days might have worked for Thomas Becket, but I'm not sure how it would go today. And it didn't turn out well for Becket in the end either."
ReplyDeleteAw, come on! He made it into sainthood, Eliot wrote a play about him (so did Anouilh), the ugliest church in England is named after him, and Christ Church, Canterbury was basically built by the "gifts" of miracle-seeking pilgrims. I'm sure it would work again!
Turbulent Priest Peter: your diocese needs you.
Martin
Now I understand, Martin, why the ABC sits behind the Monarch at events such as Olympic opening ceremonies. Beckett's advice handed down through the centuries is "Always keep the Sovereign in your sights."
ReplyDelete"Beckett's advice handed down through the centuries is "Always keep the Sovereign in your sights.""
ReplyDeleteI always thought that meant "Keep your eye on the collection." :)
Did you know Frank Tracy Griswold claimed descent from one of the knights who topped Thomas? Oddly appropriate for the man who ordained Gene Robinson.
Martin (onetime devotee of Eliot)