I want to pause to note the passing of The Rev. Chad Varah, shown here (in a photo from Reuters) on what might be a precursor to the cell phone before miniaturization. You have to love this guy. He set up a hot line for the suicidal and founded Samaritans, a charity that worked to prevent suicides. Here are some of the other major reasons to love him (as indicated in the New York Times obit this morning, which I urge you to read in full for all of the juicy details):
1. The Samaritans was named from a headline in The Daily Mirror. Father Varah disapproved of the name for his organization because he believed that religious teachings, presumably including Bible verses and stories meant to be instructive, should be avoided in helping the desperate. Treat em don’t preach to em.
2. He chose as his parish one that had a single parishioner—the lord mayor, as it happened—which gave him the opportunity to serve, as he put it, “the parish of despair.”
3. Father Varah supplemented his undoubtedly meager income writing for comic strips, an avocation I suspect most priests are not irreverent enough to pursue. (I do know of one cartooning Episcopal priest, Jay Sidebotham, the exception that proves the rule.)
4. When called to testify in the obscenity trial of Linda Lovelace, who starred in the pornographic film Deep Throat (the one that started pornography chic), he was questioned about the commandment forbidding adultery (which he had previously made clear in writings for what the Times calls a “sexually frank magazine” he did not always condemn). His response was, “Why are you quoting this ancient desert lore at me?” You go, guy!
5. He retired at the age of 92—at which point he was still getting around on public transportation. He died at 95 in Basingstoke, England. The rest of the Anglican Communion must be relieved.
6. He once characterized Pope John Paul II as “an ignorant Polish peasant” for his condemnation of contraception. I don’t know if the late pope was either ignorant or a peasant (I have my opinion), but what you have to admire is Father Varah’s willingness to say what he thought in public and for attribution (another uncommon trait in clergy).
7. He believed in reincarnation.
Be careful out there. Father Chad Varah could return as a member of your congregation. You won’t like what he has to say if you’re an orthodox Christian (whatever that is). And for god’s sake don’t put him on the vestry.
1. The Samaritans was named from a headline in The Daily Mirror. Father Varah disapproved of the name for his organization because he believed that religious teachings, presumably including Bible verses and stories meant to be instructive, should be avoided in helping the desperate. Treat em don’t preach to em.
2. He chose as his parish one that had a single parishioner—the lord mayor, as it happened—which gave him the opportunity to serve, as he put it, “the parish of despair.”
3. Father Varah supplemented his undoubtedly meager income writing for comic strips, an avocation I suspect most priests are not irreverent enough to pursue. (I do know of one cartooning Episcopal priest, Jay Sidebotham, the exception that proves the rule.)
4. When called to testify in the obscenity trial of Linda Lovelace, who starred in the pornographic film Deep Throat (the one that started pornography chic), he was questioned about the commandment forbidding adultery (which he had previously made clear in writings for what the Times calls a “sexually frank magazine” he did not always condemn). His response was, “Why are you quoting this ancient desert lore at me?” You go, guy!
5. He retired at the age of 92—at which point he was still getting around on public transportation. He died at 95 in Basingstoke, England. The rest of the Anglican Communion must be relieved.
6. He once characterized Pope John Paul II as “an ignorant Polish peasant” for his condemnation of contraception. I don’t know if the late pope was either ignorant or a peasant (I have my opinion), but what you have to admire is Father Varah’s willingness to say what he thought in public and for attribution (another uncommon trait in clergy).
7. He believed in reincarnation.
Be careful out there. Father Chad Varah could return as a member of your congregation. You won’t like what he has to say if you’re an orthodox Christian (whatever that is). And for god’s sake don’t put him on the vestry.
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