The British Press\'s Sharp Coverage of Benedict XVI
Interview With Bishop's Aide Peter Jennings
BIRMINGHAM, England, MAY 23, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The British media's
overall
reaction to the election of Benedict XVI showed its secular agenda,
says a
bishop's press secretary.
Peter Jennings, press secretary to Archbishop Vincent Nichols of
Birmingham,
has covered events in the Catholic Church worldwide since the
canonization
of the 40 martyrs of England and Wales in October 1970.
Jennings is the author of a number of books including "The Pope in
Britain,"
the official record of the pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II to Great
Britain in 1982. He is now editing a book about Benedict XVI and
Cardinal
John Henry Newman.
Q: How did the British press react to the election of Benedict XVI?
Jennings: Predictably. The British media works out of a framework of
liberal
secularism and does not understand events from the perspective of
faith.
Hence it constantly used the term "conservative" and "liberal" to
describe
the cardinal-electors at the conclave.
In several "live" television interviews that I gave from Rome shortly
after
the election of Pope Benedict XVI the new Pope was invariably referred
to as
the "archconservative" Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
I emphasized that the cardinals, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
had
elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new Pope on only the fourth
ballot.
I also explained that Cardinal Ratzinger, as the prefect of the
Doctrine of
the Faith, had a very specific role in the Church. But now as Pope
Benedict
he would embrace and encourage all Catholics and Christians of
different
traditions, as well as people from other religious faiths and none.
I felt exhausted by the time I had completed my last national
television
interview at 11:45 p.m. Rome time but privileged to have presented the
Catholic Church in a very positive way to the general public in
Britain.
Q: Many observers detect an anti-Catholic, anti-Roman mentality in the
press
that dates back to the 19th century. What is the reason for this
hostility?
Jennings: Attitudes towards the Catholic Church in Britain have changed
considerably for the better over the past three decades. Unfortunately
there
is still a trace of an anti-Roman mentality combined with a general
British
suspicion of all things "foreign."
In addition, hostility now is based more on an aggressive secular
agenda
that dominates the British media.
Q: The Anglican archbishop of Canterbury has had words of praise for
John
Paul II, and he went to the installation of Benedict XVI. Has the age
of
ecumenism softened the attitude of British journalists toward the
Catholic
Church?
Jennings: Not particularly! The British media is hostile to the Church
of
England, too. In fact, for some journalists, there is a respect for the
strength and coherence of the Catholic Church.
At present the worldwide Anglican Communion is under an intense media
spotlight over the ordination of practicing homosexuals as bishops, the
blessing of same-sex marriages, and the ordination of women bishops.
The archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, is doing everything
he can
to prevent the provinces of the Anglican Communion from going into
schism.
He needs our prayers and encouragement at this crucial time.
Q: What does the press reaction to the recent events in Rome tell us
about
British society in general?
Jennings: Don't judge British society by the British press! The press
has
its own agenda.
There was very widespread and positive interest among British society,
at
every level, in the death and funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II, and
the
conclave, election and inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI.
People who had never been into a Catholic Church attended a special
requiem
Mass for Pope John Paul II celebrated in St. Chad's Cathedral, situated
in
the center of Birmingham, on the day of the funeral Mass in Rome.
One lady told me: "I heard you talk about the special Mass at St.
Chad's
Cathedral on local radio earlier today. I have never been into a
Catholic
Church before but I have been so moved by the television coverage of
Pope
John Paul II from Rome that I wanted to be part of something for him."
Q: Does the press try other religions the same way? Why not?
Jennings: The attitude of the British press to Christianity is
generally
hostile.
Its attitude to Judaism and Islam is completely different because of
the
potential criticism that would follow hostile and negative reporting of
these faiths.
Q: What advice could you give Church officials as one who has to work
in a
difficult environment?
Jennings: It is important that representatives of the Catholic Church
try to
build up personal relationships with key media figures at local,
regional
and national level, while always recognizing that there are
different values and agendas at work.
During the last few years professional spokespeople have been employed
by
the Catholic Church and their work with the British media has been
vital
particularly in a crisis.
There are times when the Catholic Church and the media work well
together
and can be a great benefit for evangelization. This is always in the
back of
my mind when I give a quote or a media interview.