Posted on 09/30/2003 7:54:43 PM PDT by ahadams2
Secret paper reveals Church spin plans to defuse gay crisis By Chris Boffey (Filed: 01/10/2003)
The Church of England is trying to spin its way out of the crisis over the issue of homosexuality, according to a document drawn up by one of the Archbishop of Canterbury's closest advisers.
Jeremy Harris, Dr Rowan Williams's secretary for public affairs, wrote a three-page memorandum, entitled Notes towards a Handling Strategy on Gay Issues, outlining how the Church could manipulate the media.
Mr Harris is a former BBC journalist with great influence at Lambeth Palace.
In the "strictly confidential" document, which has been seen by The Daily Telegraph, he said: "In addition to attempting to manage the gay issue strategically, there is at least the challenge . . . of displacing it at least partially from public and media attention.
"This involves, principally, finding attractive alternative stories involving ABC [the Archbishop of Canterbury] and/or the Church."
Among other ideas, he suggests: "ABC as poet - do a reading, make a high-profile Lords intervention, announce a theology prize."
The use of the shorthand ABC has overtones of the language used in Downing Street, where the Prime Minister is often referred to as TB in media strategy documents and by Alastair Campbell, the outgoing director of communications.
Mr Harris says: "The ABC needs to be seen and heard as offering a balanced ticket, as someone capable of relating constructively to a range of constituencies. In strategic terms this means keeping an appropriate distance from many strands of the issue and (because of the perception that he is on the liberal wing and is so in personal rather than corporate terms) being seen and heard as receptive to conservative opinion."
The overall tone of the document suggests that senior aides are deeply worried that the homosexuality issue could disrupt the Archbishop's agenda by dominating the news coverage of the Church.
It says: "The Church is committed to continuing dialogue, so the issue cannot be closed or rapidly resolved. It therefore has to be managed in media terms by seeking to take the sting out of it and displacing it in the public mind." The issue of homosexuality is described as "hydra-headed". The document says: "The monster cannot be slain with a single sword thrust, but steps can be taken to try to render each of the heads less dangerous."
The document, which was written in June, touches on the furore surrounding the appointment of Dr Jeffrey John, a homosexual, as Bishop of Reading.
Its advice was to keep Reading "as local as possible". However the appointment was too controversial and, after threats of schism and parishes withholding money, Dr John was persuaded to stand down for the good of the Church.
Liberals in the Church have portrayed Dr Williams as "imprisoned" by a clique of advisers hired by his evangelical predecessor, Dr George Carey, who had restrained his liberal instincts.
But Church insiders insist that Dr Williams is his own man and is perfectly capable of making his own decisions after listening to advice.
Last night a spokesman for the Archbishop admitted that Mr Harris had prepared the document.
But he said: "This has never been an official Lambeth document. They are random jottings drawn up to address the media issue at the time. They were never effected as a policy."
Love it.
Take two "attaboys" and five LOL's out of petty cash.
Among other ideas, he suggests: "ABC as poet - do a reading, make a high-profile Lords intervention, announce a theology prize."
Like reading a poem or announcing a prize is going to make everything okay.
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