It's very exciting that "Kevin", who posted on my original post about the Maulden Church Plastic Chairs Scandal, appears in fact to be the complainant in the piece. And I may have gained a scoop in his revelation that it was the Archdeacon of Bedford who suggested he complain to the diocese.
But I just want to focus on the Mail's reporting of the matter. And then focus down on one word.
You may, if you feel strong, scroll down to the readers' comments. Some of which are quite rational and charitable. Others of which will be recycled and end up as letters in " Writes of the Church."
But I was interested in the first word in the headline: "female". "Female vicar faces the SACK after one worshipper complains about her putting a children's plastic table and chairs inside her 12th century church".
What modifiers might have relevance in this headline? "Atheist", perhaps. "Kevin-loathing", maybe. "...with shares in the plastic furniture industry" would be pertinent. But "female"? Is Lynda Klimas's gender relevant because it makes her more considerate of children? Or less careful of the feelings of Kevins? Or less respectful of the due processes of the Church of England and workings of English Heritage and the Victorian Society?
We're not told. It just shouts there, in the headline, like it makes any difference. It's an odd world.
Similar scenario when people talk or write about MALE nurses. Some folk can't seem to get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI came across an article in the Mail a few years ago about a wedding between a lady from a titled family and a man who had had convictions for drug offences. Despite the fact that this man had clearly turned his life around, the Mail was outraged by this match and went on to further outrage their readership by pointing out that the groom had a number of tattoos and piercings. The final point they made in order to 'shame' this couple was that the wedding was to be conducted by a FEMALE VICAR!
ReplyDeleteMy Burke's Peerage fell off the shelf in shock.
DeleteNot my church, but I believe there are Anglicans who don't think that women can be legitimate vicars. After all, it is the prevailing view in the Catholic Church. I won't argue the case here.
ReplyDeleteThe real difficulty is telling them apart at, say, a nave's distance.
DeleteAs the actress said to the bishop ....... Oh no, we don't talk about actresses any more. They all call themselves actors.
ReplyDeletesimilarly avoiding the moniker of poetesses and authoresses, because the terms are damaged by their use with the intention to disparage. If indeed they ever had any other purpose. Like poetaster....
DeleteOtherwise we would have Java Developerettes.
DeleteWill no one rid me of this turbulent FEMALE vicar, and/or Kevin!? I would like to know whether it is just envy. That table and chairs looks lovely and I would quite like to sit at them drawing during church services, but they are too small. Were I to attempt it I may not be able to get up again, leading to crawling towards the pews for a scrabble up, and to non-stiff-upper-lip-type embarrassment in general. Perhaps Kevin feels the same...
ReplyDelete