Three cheers for Rev Richard Coles on I’m a Celebrity

After such a devastating few weeks for the Church of England wasn’t it a joy to hear some positive news from a highly regarded Anglican cleric? 

After the recent shenanigans that have unfolded in Lambeth Palace and the House of Lords, who would have thought that a much needed tonic would come in the guise of a former pop star sinking his gnashers into the testicles of a deceased animal from the Australian jungle? 

An overstayed welcome

The contrast between what the church is and what the church should be was starkly demonstrated by the antics of the Anglican Communion’s leader in comparison to the former keyboard player of The Communards, the delightful Rev Richard Coles.  

The leader, who I have unaffectionately nicknamed ‘Justgo Justin’ has made sure that his departure from the most senior clerical role in the Anglican Communion is as painful and uncomfortable as watching Fr Coles being covered in grubs, bugs and snake after snake.

Speaking of snakes, it is unlikely that even the greatest of Giant Pythons could have slithered and manoeuvred out of a situation as desperate and constricting as the Church of England presently finds itself. 

Richard’s time in the jungle was a beautiful example of humble access to the life and work of a good priest

But rather than dwell on Rev Welby’s crass, unfunny, and insensitive handling of matters of safeguarding, I think it is important to celebrate successes in the church, especially as successes have been so desperately hard to find in recent weeks. 

And while both individuals have a hint of the establishment about them and a whiff of public schoolboy entitlement, the differences in recent days have been glaring to those who have been intrigued by both institutional failings in the church and the gastric habits of a retired priest on the television. 

The lantern in the jungle

Let’s be honest, Rev Richard didn’t have to do an awful lot to look good against the mess left by Justin Welby. Where Welby was curt, Richard was kind, where Welby was insensitive, Richard was compassionate, where Welby was self-indulgent, Richard was self-giving. And I suspect of the many millions watching on ITV primetime, that is what they want of a parish priest. Someone who cares. 

Richard’s time in the jungle was a beautiful example of the life and work of a good priest. He gently lived the gospel of love and care for one’s neighbour.  

And while Richard didn’t quite take the crown in the jungle (he finished third), perhaps he is the perfect role model to bear in mind as we seek to place the keys in the hands of the next Archbishop of Canterbury.