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By 
Michael Coren2025-11-28T09:50:00+00:00
Following The Spectator’s critique of “funky vicars”, Rev Michael Coren pushes back, defending his fellow clergy in the public eye and questioning a culture that he says is quicker to sneer than to support
Source: Reuters
Celebrity priests, Kate Bottley and Rev Richard Coles
They say that all publicity is good publicity but if the Church of England is any indication that’s clearly not the case. Reports of scandals and abuse don’t exactly increase church attendance, and the good that the Anglican church does – beyond measure – is seldom mentioned. That’s the nature of news of course, and Christians aren’t unique in being victims of it all.
The current cause of media scrutiny is largely innocuous and might, in fact, do some good. It began when well-known television and radio broadcaster Kate Bottley, also an ordained priest, gave an interview in the Daily Telegraph. Some objected to what she said, social media became busy (when does it not?) and a column of response in The Spectator was extremely critical and referred to “funky vicars”.
The article also criticised Rev Richard Coles, who is a friend and someone who was a major influence on my becoming an Anglican and seeking ordination. He’s theologically deep, committed to an intelligent and profound Christian faith, and has influenced countless people. Thank God for him.
Then there’s me. I’ve joked that my tombstone will say, “He was once reasonably well-known in southern Ontario” and that really is about it. I hosted a nightly TV show here for 15 years, a radio show for longer, and have written weekly columns for the Canadian press – and often British – for 30 years. Books too, some of them best-sellers.
It’s rather limited compared to Kate or Richard, but in my small, Canadian way I suppose I’m a minor celebrity priest. I realised this six years ago when first ordained and taking my second funeral. One of the mourners approached me and asked to take a selfie with me. Very difficult to know how to respond.
It becomes easy with those whom I work closely because even minor fame fades with familiarity. It’s more the first-timers, the families of the newly baptised, wedding parties, or when I’m on the train.
My change of life was widely reported but not everybody knows. I was walking along in Toronto one day wearing my collar when someone shouted, “That your new disguise? I know it’s you.”
Most of my clergy colleagues appreciate the attention and exposure I can bring to the church but there are clearly some who resent it. They can be indirect or obvious about it and sometimes downright hurtful. I know that this is also the case with the far more known Kate and Richard.
Celebrity clerics do achieve some good. None of them will change the world but the notion that they make it a worse place is something of a stretch.
For me, ordination meant that everything I do – as a priest, husband, father, friend – was reshaped and reformed.
I was a priest but one recognised by people who never set a foot in church.
It’s been overwhelmingly positive, with people contacting me to inquire about Christian beliefs, asking me to recommend a church they can attend, perhaps seeing humanity in the figure whose only job is to pull back the curtain, present Jesus and then get out of the way. It’s not about us, never has been, and if we ever think it is we’ve lost the plot.
Some of the current criticisms have hardly evinced a loving, thoughtful Christianity. It is, surely, fairly basic that we should look within before judging others. One of the great Christian qualities is empathy, and I do wonder if people feel any remorse, or have reservations, when they send out what they regard as terribly clever posts on social media.
One of my friends in London, a famous and brilliant man, now refuses to read any comments or reviews about him simply to retain his well-being. Many of us try to put on a brave face but as someone who on several occasions has been the victim of mass attacks, of course it dents and even penetrates the armour we all adopt.
Have so-called “celebrity priests” done any harm to the Gospel cause? Most have liberal rather than conservative views on issues such as sexuality (I include myself) and I suppose that could offend some people, but I honestly doubt whether it will prevent those people from attending church.
These clerics do, however, achieve some good. None of them will change the world but the notion that they make it a worse place is something of a stretch.
Whatever your views on those involved, at least people are suddenly talking about priests, churches, and faith. The most serious obstacle to evangelism isn’t hostility but indifference.
As for me, I’m really not very much of a celebrity, so please don’t get me out of here!
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