Stereotypes; yes. Hyperbole; yes.But it is a sitcom, and the writer and producer would appear to have done their research …
(In contrast to a) Dibley, whcih was just a vehicle for Dawn French and could have been set in almost any context with a bit of adaptation; and b) Fr Ted, which was slapstick. It is to Anglican clergy life what 'Chef' was to catering - the trade in which I was temporarily working when that was on screen.)
It didn't appear to be the kind of parish where you'd expect the previous incumbent to have 'sloped off to Rome' - but the Archdeacon was a gem.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point that - about whether his predecessor is likely to have sloped off to Rome. I have been told that the (often far less public) departure for Rome by Anglican clergy who were never 'High' or particularly 'Anglo-Catholic' can be much easier than for those who have spent many years convinced and proclaiming that they were already Catholic, by virtue of their liturgical style &c.
ReplyDeleteAnd as to the Archdeacon, I was told of an Indiction at which at the point the bishop instructs the Archdeacon to install the new Incumbent and to 'defend him so inducted', a theatrical whisper from amongst the robed clergy in choir declared: 'They never do!'