There were three institutions that made him, shaped him — meant something to him. They were Everton Football Club, the Labour Party and the Catholic Church. In that order
“How the Catholic Church shaped Andy Burnham”, Patrick Maguire, The Times, 20 June
“I’ve always said — and some people won’t like this,” he said in 2012, as shadow health secretary, “that what I used to have to read in the catechism, the enfranchisement of it on Earth was the Labour Party”
ibid.
Perhaps we should have long interregnums between Prime Ministers of a year to eighteen months, like vicars in the C of E, while a succession of volunteers divide the Prime Ministerial responsibilities between them as best they can
Francis Young, historian, X, 21 June
Once [the Lords Spiritual] spoke for the Christian common sense of the whole nation. Now they are a lobby, privileged only by accident of history over other similar lobbies. If they use Christian language, they are accused of special pleading. If they refrain from using Christian language, they are accused of hypocrisy. Either way, they stand accused
Edward Skidelsky, university lecturer and director of the Committee for Academic Freedom, The Spectator, 21 June
I have been preaching in the chapel of HMP Pentonville for the past nine years. I work hard at my sermons, which often share common ground, compassion and even comedy with my congregation of prisoners because I have been where they now are. Sometimes I get heckled but more often I get hugged. I doubt whether an AI sermon would produce any such reactions
Jonathan Aitken, prison chaplain at Pentonville, letter, The Spectator, 20 June
I definitely have a faith. I think Christ is probably who he said he was. I just so rarely say that in a BBC building. I just feel it’s so contentious to say that. But I think the bible story is incredible, and if it was a hoax I want to know who wrote it and I’ll follow them instead
Jeremy Vine, broadcaster, Private Passions, Radio 3, 14 June
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