This week's papal blessing goes to the Foreign Office employee who let slip a memo listing suggestions to mark the forthcoming visit to the UK of Pope Benedict XVI in September.
Suffer the little children to come unto me
Entitled "The ideal visit would see...", the paper proposed the launch of "Benedict-branded" condoms and that the Pope be invited to open an abortion clinic and bless a gay marriage. Furthermore, he should sack all the "dodgy bishops" and launch a helpline for abused children, having first apologised for the Spanish Armada and recorded a song with the Queen for charity. "Positive" public figures who could be made part of the Pope's visit, included Tony Blair and Susan Boyle along with those who were considered "negative" public figures such as Wayne Rooney and prominent atheist Richard Dawkins.
The paper was attached as one of three "background documents" to a memo dated 5 March 2010 inviting officials in Whitehall and Downing Street to attend a meeting to discuss themes for the papal visit. Foreign Secretary David Miliband is said to have been "appalled" by its contents. The UK's ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Campbell, has met senior officials of the Holy See to express regret on behalf of the government. The document was obtained by the Sunday Telegraph.
The junior civil servant responsible has been put on other duties.
