Saturday, May 1, 2010

My Next Calling?

Evangelical Eric, my miserable excuse for a Curate, has been heartbroken since news broke of Bishop Wright’s startling resignation from the See of Durham. Nor is he alone in his grief: I have been literally inundated with tear-stained emails from devastated Sinners pleading for me to in some way intervene and persuade young + Dunelm (it’s not “Durham” when used as a name, my illiterate Sinners) to reconsider his hasty decision.

By some remarkable co-incidence, however, almost every one of these requests has come from people employed within the travel industry; the only exception being a funds manager that the previous week taken a strong position in British Airways – the poor lad is now terrified the inevitable loss will leave him so irrevocably branded as incompetent that the only future position he’ll ever be able to obtain will be that of porfolio management in the Diocese of Mordor.

While of, course, nobody can help that poor fellow, I’ve been reassuring my other grieving correspondents that +Nicholas Thomas' interesting move into academia, whereby rather than actually teach anyone he intends “to head up various broadcasting projects to bring the results of good biblical (i.e. “his”) scholarship to a wider audience”, should actually lead to an increase in His Grace’s frequent flyer miles. The Royal Burgh of St. Andrews may indeed have given the world golf shoes, but anywhere that cavalier about their possessive apostrophe is hardly going to be capable of sustaining enough bookshops to keep our man in purple permanently occupied giving out autographs. Besides, given that this next stage of his career is undoubtedly going to include writing his own book on Dostoevsky in preparation for his next occupational ambition, and it’s going to take a real lot of marketing to convince anyone to buy another work involving foreigners who probably didn’t even hate homosexualists, you’d better believe the boy’s got some serious promotional globe-trotting ahead of him.

Naturally I’ve already been approached about accepting an invitation to become his replacement. It appears the Wardens of Durham have been inundated by applications from a certain Deacon Dobby Ould, who as the world’s most experienced clergyman (a title he recently took from little Matt Kennedy on account of the Boy Wonder from Binghamton having been officially rescheduled as “sub-Christian” on account of repeatedly refusing to forbid his wife preaching – those unfortunate enough to be caught up in the Cult of the Self-Righteous Shepherd need to have something to brighten their Sundays), is convinced the position should be his, and so those responsible for ensuring Her Majesty is not in some future meeting with her most senior clergy subjected to a tirade concerning substitionary atonement and his brother's prostate are desperate to fill the big bed in Bishop Auckland as quickly as possible.

While yet to formally decline their very sensible offer (you’ve got admit the title “The Right Reverend Father in God, Christian Troll, by Divine Providence Lord Bishop of Durham” would undoubtedly go a long way in overcoming my current difficulties in obtaining membership at our local Blockbuster Video outlet), I did express concern regarding my unavailability on the grounds that I’m not prepared to live in the Diocese. Although the clergy of Durham have informed me this wouldn’t make me in any way different to the previous incumbent.

I’m Father Christian and I teach the Bible.

68 comments :

Anonymous said...

Durham Clergy are anxious that some dignity is restored to the Bishopric of their ancient See after British Airways' most regular client has retired to play golf and sell books. "Bishop Troll" has sufficient gravitas to make Durham proud once again, whereas +Dobby Dunelm is likely to make the Diocese a continued laughing-stock. Sadly, Ichabod Springs is not as far away from Durham as Australia's Neutral Bay (http://neutralbayanglican.org.au/?page_id=13). It is for this reason that Durham clergy would prefer a silly deacon to administer the Diocese in absentia. At Dobby's consecration his identical twin could act as stand-in since most people can't tell the difference. This would also be welcomed by the many gay clergy over whom +Tom presided, although he denied they existed. Having two inter-changeable Bishops - one gay, one straight - would not only appeal to everyone, but continue the Tradition of self-righteous certainty for which Durham has become renowned. Yours prostately. Hugh Jass

Anonymous said...

I was told by a reputable intellectual, that Durham was well known for having progressive bishops. How can that be when Durham has such rigid censorship laws; advertises a post - gay advocacy clinic, led by a world renown post -gay expert who is also post - gay, and not to forget the influx of Sydney Anglican residents who are making Durham their home. It is impossible for parochial Wollongongers educated in fundamentalism to exist within vibrant progressive thinking constructs.
Obviously a misguided intellectual.

Anonymous said...

Are Bishop Tom's writings subjected to the same rigorous Sydney Anglican standards of censorship as the rest of the Durham clergy? Are the Ould boys the proof readers?

Ifa Detail

cryptogram said...

To be a Prince-Bishop, whose mitre is surrounded at its base by a ducal coronet, would wonderfully trump Dr Carey's life barony. Bring on Dr Troll!

Ms A Solemnis said...

Mrs Kennedy may be one of the few women to whom the Boy Wonder from Binghampton concedes priestly authority. His current thread on Bishop Hertzog's most recent peregrinations at Firm FuckWits refers to the Presiding Bishop as "a woman who is an enemy of the cross and a persecutor of the faithful". Not given to hyperbole, Our Matt.

"Cross" should correctly be capitalized, should it not?

Doorman-Priest said...

You were invited and you refused?

Lapinbizarre said...

Cryptogram is correct about the Durham mitre. I have, in my possession, a seal of Edward Maltby, bishop of Durham from 1836 and 1856, which clearly shows this feature. For the curious I have posted a scan of the seal, image reversed, at Of Course I Must Be Right, a little-used subsidiary site. Were Father Troll to adopt a Christian name beginning with the letter "E" ("Evangelical Troll", perhaps? Far too improbable a combination of words to be credible, of course) the seal might serve for his episcopate.

Those wishing to validate retrospectively 19th c documents and deeds may apply by email.

cryptogram said...

Thanks to Lapinbizarre for his corroborating post and for the picture. I remember a (genuine) photo of +Michael Ramsey in such a mitre - maybe in the hilarious "Canterbury Pewside Book".

A propos the possible candidacy of an humble deacon from Mordor, I seem to remember there is a BCP rubric to the effect that any person to be admitted to the office of Bishop must have served no less than six years in priest's orders, and canon law to back it up. I doubt that a dispensation under the hand and episcopal seal of my Lord of Mordor would cut much ice at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster.

PS Word verification: irregat

Paul said...

As a Bible scholar you would follow in the footsteps of Bishop Lightfoot, whose work I drew on even in my Baptist days.

Brother David said...

two inter-changeable Bishops - one gay, one straight

Would that by ass backward logic make +Dunelm bi-sexual?

Brother David said...

"a woman who is an enemy of the cross and a persecutor of the faithful"

I saw that. Then I remembered how upset Father Mass Progeny became the last time I called him a liar at Preludium.

Anonymous said...

There's a flea collar in the post for the next Bishop of Durham. I hope he is not offended by wearing it but everyone knows that if you go to bed with dogs you get up with fleas. However, heartworm is far more fatal.

http://www.itchmo.com/bayer-drugs-warned-on-dog-and-cat-flea-and-heartworm-advertisement-1724

Joe Cocker Spanial

Anonymous said...

Let me guess... part of the 'Passion for Life' campaign!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1270364/Christian-preacher-hooligan-charge-saying-believes-homosexuality-sin.html#

Has the Dark Warlord and his army been in Worthington?
Pity police don't do the same regarding the 'Connect for Life' whatever it is. But the inhabitants of Mordor are careful about their persona within their homeland and know only to cause trouble outside Mordor.
'The term “Global South” is not unique to Anglicanism, but it has special application in the Communion. A complicating detail is that the term is used differently by different people. For some it is simply a description of everything south of the 20º northern parallel.

For others, it is a description of the developing nations of the “two-thirds world.” In that application, it would exclude nations like Australia and New Zealand because they are considered “western” in culture and economic development.'

http://acl.asn.au/bishop-bill-atwood-on-gse4/#more-6977

The book market is limited in Mordor.

Frodo

Anonymous said...

there is no god there is no god there is no god there is no god
You look stupid in pointy hats.
The robes look gay.
The incense is just weird.

The Rev. Dr. Christian Troll said...

Looks to me like poor Brad has either forgotten how to type his name or else thinks he's been transported to Mordor.

Anonymous said...

That's what Mordor does to you...you forget your name!

Dear Fr Troll,
I'm really envious of Anglicans around the world experiencing such dissention. We in Sydney are in need of a group to represent Liberal Anglicans. Fr Troll when you become the Bishop of Durham, could you exile all your progressive thinking Anglicans to Sydney. They could help church plant. I reckon that might liven up the Diocese of Mordor. Bring out all the nutters! They'd be able to dress up as Storm Troopers.

http://vimeo.com/4684112

When you think what could happen on a large scale it's quite exciting, if past experiences are a good guide. Let's recall...
1. Justice Kirby speaks of being Anglican and gay and Rev Rick Lane responds with venomous letters to Justice Kirby advising him of conversion therapy through Liberty Christian Ministries Inc. Imagine the size of the hole that could be created outside Rev Rick's church if gays were denigrated on a larger scale. The church might actually disappear!
2. Anthony Venn-Brown attempts to speak to an Anglican congregation about understanding gays and what gay Christians endure and a storm trooper is sent to banish him from the church. A larger scale could be a Ridley Scott movie.
3. Mordor could take even greater gambling risks to find the salary necessary to attract Nikola to senior ministry, in charge of training foot soldiers in combative techniques. That's after they have finished fighting the NSW Govt's Ethics trial in public schools.

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/news/stories/govt_trial_decimates_sre

4. Anti-homophobic and anti-sexist phamphlets could be distributed. This could lead to further Supreme Court action.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sexual-harasser-label-pretext-to-expel-me-from-church-parishioner-20100324-quuy.html

I reckon a campaign should centre around the inclusion of women and GLBT people to the ministry. Imagine the blog sites that could be tapped into and forced into closure. Sounds exciting but let's top it off with a photo of liberal Anglicans standing starkers outside The Sydney Opera House...this should stir things up a bit!
Why should the rest of the world have all the fun?
Look forward to hearing from you

From Pie in the Sky (and in your eye!)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Brad is trying to convince himself! Should have stayed with Standfirm Brad. What's that saying? I know... 'Don't tickle the dragon if you can't stand the heat.'

Eragon

MadPriest said...

Sir, I assume you have already got an option on land in the Kingdom of Fife and, with your connections in the Wee, Wee, Weeeeee! Free (You've Got To Be Kidding Me, Right?) Church of Scotland, planning permission for the new St. Andrews International Airport will not be a problem. As this development is obviously the will of God, and for no other reason, I would like to get in on the action. Do I send the cash to the usual address?

Lapinbizarre said...

Interesting snippet (hat tip to Sarah Hey, who linked this over at You-Know-Where) on the promotional methods of the Nigerian Anglican Church.

Seems that Nicholas Okoh, Nigeria's new primate, "had been a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nigerian Army who voluntarily retired when he was invited to become a Bishop in 2001". One hardly knows what to say, either about Okoh's path to power or about his speedy promotion. The piece also notes that Okoh is "civil war veteran", an term that has period charm in the US but is somewhat more ambiguous in the context of the Biafran suppression, which took more than 1,000,000 lives.

I recall that there is at least one other Nigerian bishop who held commissioned rank during that conflict. Wondering how many others are out there.

Incidentally, the Biafran Igbo, who were so lavishly slaughtered in the destruction of their state, are overwhelmingly Christian.

Makes you think. Think and wonder.

Fasten your seat belts.

Brother David said...

Now it seems the Boy Wonder of Binghamton, he of the Cult of the Self-Righteous Shepherd, the Revd Father in God Mass Prodigy, has issued a Fatwa against our +Kate.

From the Fckwds @ Stand Firm thread regarding the return of +Herzog and from among the rants that he had to grovel before "that woman";

"I have been in her presence a number of times. I have found her rather controlling and unpleasant…but really it doesn’t matter. She is a heretic and an enemy of the gospel. She is not to be coddled, welcomed, received, spoken highly of (2 John 7-11) certainly not congratulated for her “graciousness” as she leads people to hell and speaks against the light. Rather she is to be identified as a heretic and driven out of the church until she recants [&] repents."

June Butler said...

Bishop Katharine's warm welcome home to Bishop Herzog was the right thing to do, despite this:

Under Herzog, the 19-county Albany diocese of about 20,000 baptized members began a controversial process of selling church real estate worth millions of dollars to raise money for a Washington County spiritual retreat called Christ the King Spiritual Life Center.

That center is where Herzog's return to the church was announced Friday by [Bp. Michael] Love, who was his successor.


Read more at the Albany Times-Union.

However, I'm off topic. Mea culpa! What I really want to say to you, dear Fr Christian, is please do not be quick to send in your refusal to be considered for the See of Durham without giving the matter a great deal of thought, now that you are assured that residency is not a requirement.

I'm laughing, dear father, because I had typed your name as Fr Christina, and I had to go back to edit.

The Rev. Dr. Christian Troll said...

Wonderful news, Dah • veed, and you can break out the party hats and streamers, for you know what this means... It's a BANNING!!!!

We'll be holding a spontaneous parish feast here at St. Onuphrius' in honor of the event, for we all know the Presiding Bishop will be devastated at no longer being able to comment at Viagraville, and without being able to regularly contribute along with Dr. Robroy and the gang ("Well said, David, but I think you might be minimizing the relevance of Quibble 12:13 on the right to bear arms when in the presence of anyone advocating lay presidency") she'll soon find herself incapable of preparing even the briefest of homilies.

BTW Mad Priest, while I don't yet own any holdings in the Kingdom of Fife, this shouldn't in any way prevent you from sending the money anyway. Or even better, start selling investments in the region to others, and you can keep 10% of the takings for yourself as commission.

MadPriest said...

Already done so, Captain. To a Mr Thomas Wright who now owns 30% of the shares. This wouldn't be regarded as "insider trading" would it?

Nelly the Elephant said...

.... I have found her rather controlling and unpleasant ..... but really it doesn’t matter. She is a heretic and an enemy of the gospel. Can it be - certainly might be the case from the construction of the sentence - that the Binghampton Boy Wonder regards the PB's allegedly controlling and unpleasant nature as a desirable, in a manner of speaking, trait?

One more thing to ponder.

Nelly the E said...

The Boy Wonder is pretty wobbly where capitalization is concerned. First "Cross", now "Gospel". Imagine, if the "enemy of the cross and persecutor of the faithful" had fallen into that error!

Anonymous said...

Nelly
We all know a tirade of abuse would have occurred about fidelity and nakedness! This would have later been accompanied by a resource package containing the 6 steps for using correct grammer, when writing to a fundamentalist. Content is never important to a fundamentalist because the purpose of content is to twist it to fit a desired outcome, even if it's not truth. I think it's linked to the times fundamentalists spend hanging out with lawyers in court. And everyone knows that a fundamentalist does not self reflect! Why should he? God doesn't have to...he's perfect.
### blah bu***r rant!!!!!!!######

http://www.clevver.com/movies/videof/226670/frostnixon-video-clip-frost-tells-nixon-only-one-of-them-can-win.html

Anonymous said...

And what a fine sensible name you have been given Nelly. Obviously the African influence at GAFCON. Was Nelly the Elephant a mupphet?

Sincerely
Old Man Emu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaj_rV20Md4&feature=related

Nelly the Elephant said...

And to think some people thought the Teletubbies looked gay, Old Man Emu.

Nelly the E said...

Not to mention THIS, Emu!

Anonymous said...

People in Sydney reported seeing that chicken running around Town Hall in Sydney with it's head cut off. Apparently it laid a dud egg! If only the owner hadn't killed the goose that laid the golden egg!
I think one of the Wiggles does solo work occasionally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06eqPLf6R60&feature=related

cock-a-doodle-doo

Anonymous said...

Nelly,
This last guy is definately post-gay!

Emu

Lapinbizarre said...

And here's me thinking the Doodlebops look a bit funny! Anyone Down Under identify which, if any, of these guys is Deacon Ould?

The Rev. Dr. Christian Troll said...

Is it just me, or are other people getting just a little perturbed that life under the Bishop of Mordor might be rendering some of the commenters here rather crytpic?

Anonymous said...

Just common use of the metaphore when describing 'sea of troubles'!

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/metaphor


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fal5JVqN2C8

Anonymous said...

Nellie the Elephant
I'm just so sorry. I haven't had a chance to get back to you. How was your cosmetic surgery? I heard you weren't happy with the length of your trunk. I hope it is aesthetically pleasing now. Oh enough about that 'nip and tuck' stuff!
Now I have to agree with you...those Wiggles look like Liberace in drag! (God bless his soul)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKr0WgVW4MA

Emu

Anonymous said...

I am at a loss to understand what Nelly the Elephant's trunk has to do with an episcopal bookseller and Peter Ould's prostate.

Anonymous said...

Nellie the thought is mind boggling!
Speaking of things that are intellectually and emotionally overwhelming, I recall having a meeting with a very senior member of the Sydney Anglican Diocese who once said to me that it wasn't necessary to go to church on Sunday to be a Christian. (I'm not sure what all this Connect for Life stuff is all about!) I think the sniffer dogs were working overtime sorting out the 'Riff Raff' at the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEjx2B-RmAU&feature=related

So I took the wise man's advice but I do recall one special moment when I looked up at a stained class window. There I saw for me, the essence of Christianity. Jesus with his hand outstretched reaching for a drowning man. What sort of Rhode scholar do you have to be to understand that?
Oh I'm such a drama queen!

Frankenfurter

Come on let's party. Let's rock this blog for all those who never quite measured up to Sydney standards in Sydney and world wide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BZl7pR-65c&feature=related

mehitabel the cat said...

And angels' prostates, Fr Jass. Why are they allowed to fall?

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsA1mmbsxxc

puss'n'boots

Anonymous said...

Do angels have prostates, Fr Jass?

Anonymous said...

"In Heaven, men do not marry, nor do they have prostates" Matt 20 v 30

Maria Ouspenskaya said...

Would Pee-Pee Ould want to be an angel then, Fr. Jass?

Anonymous said...

Will this man soon be a post-gay?

Anonymous said...

No, Anon. George Rekers is a "post-straight", having gone in the opposite direction to Prostate Pete. It must be a great disappointment to the ex-gay Curate of Ware to see one of his NARTH heroes prove that being "post-straight" leads to hiring a rent-boy. Goodness knows what post-gays hire to carry their luggage.

Brother David said...

Is that a photo of the young escort in question walking through the airport?

Goodness knows what post-gays hire to carry their luggage.
Dykes

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows rentboy.com provides luggage handlers. The same as pussygalore.com is a petshop!

Anonymous said...

Neally

I like the principles behind this movie. Not fussed on the title or the violence but the ideology is quite pure.

http://www.popmodal.com/video/1318/V-for-Vendetta-Speech

EMU

Anonymous said...

Dr. Rekers seems to be a bit of a size queen.

Nelly the Elephant said...

Rentboy.com - catchphrase "Pimp Yourself Now". For some unaccountable reason - why? - African Gafcon Primates spring to mind.

Anonymous said...

Dear future Bishop of Durham Rev Fr Troll and folks of Durham. Mupphet alert in Durham.

http://solapanel.org/article/a_prayer_request_from_an_aussie_living_in_the_mother_country/#comments


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnT7pT6zCcA&feature=related

Anonymous said...

Stop gloating, sodomites!

Dr. Rekers only hired that young man to handle his bag!

Anonymous said...

Just looked at the Sola Panel article. So the ex - bishop of Wollongong Mordor (Al Stewart), has sent over his Mordor church planters to increase dissent and spread sexism and homophobia throughout the UK. Obviously the UK doesn't grow their own bigots! And not to forget those evangelical resources that can be quite profitable!
Did anyone see Nellie the Elephant? I heard Nellie has new hair extensions.

Anonymous said...

Lionel Windsor's compassion is so heart felt as he shows true love for those battling homosexual desires. Of course the compassion only extends to imposed celibacy or post-gayness. Obviously he's in favour of inflicting this post-gay state upon a member of the opposite sex in a farcical relationship!

"There seems to be a general popular view in the UK that assumes a polarisation between two types of people: on the one hand there is the rational, culturally sensitive, peace-loving nice majority who accept homosexual behaviour completely and who are the only hope for the long-term prosperity and stability of the UK; on the other hand there are “those” bigoted, dangerous, archaic, fringe-dwelling, Bible-reading, hate-filled people who really should be locked up.

I reckon that one thing that Aussie Christians can and should do is to work against this stereotype so it doesn’t become more entrenched. We need to hold fast to the Bible’s teaching on this issue (and other issues); but while we do it we need to show genuine love to people who struggle with homosexual desires,.."
http://solapanel.org/article/a_prayer_request_from_an_aussie_living_in_the_mother_country/#comments

Anonymous said...

What about this book? The guy who wrote it works at Moore College. Archbishop Jensen should have taken the time to read it!

http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/5275/nm/Greed_As_Idolatry_The_Origin_and_Meaning_of_a_Pauline_Metaphor_Paperback_

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Lionel Windor and his mates realise at the Sola Panel can actually understand what his type of thinking can cause. I'm sure the gays in some African countries can.

Nellie (before the extension)...this is for you to remember

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrwebpspGDY&feature=related

http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=1%20corinthians%2013

because...

http://bible.cc/john/15-13.htm

Anonymous said...

That's right Lionel ...you and your like minded friends create a climate that leads to self hatred and self harm and then let the government pick up the tab for support programs.

http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2009/09/01/glbt-suicide-goes-mainstream/15691

Personally, I think churches that discriminate and propagate material which impacts adversely on the mental health of individuals, should make direct financial contributions to the development and implementation of these mental health programs. Your thinking is no different to the days when tobacco companies said smoking didn't harm. The whole twisted thinking about homosexuality being able to be cured, to me is a cop out for churches and a form of intimidation of the victim. This is no different to the times when tobacco companies failed to take responsibility for the adverse effects of their product and offensively tried to find flaws with the victims in court. Anti same-sex attracted propaganda should be banned from public advertising, just like tobacco advertising! Actually, antihomosexual propaganda is a form of mental abuse bordering on the psychological effects of rape. Good on the UK for taking a stand against ignorant and abusive Christians!

Lapinbizarre said...

Are HTML Links illegal in Australia?

Anonymous said...

Ms A SolEmnis
Haven't I had some written communication with you in the past?
It's lovely to have a feminist on Fr Troll's blog... what with so many regulars being men.
Do you remember when the feminist movement was strong? Way back in the early 80's. It was a time of great change and women were seeking liberation from the constraints of patriarchy. Kind of doing it for themselves so to speak! Well some priests just felt so threatened and sought to control some of the rabble rousers by 'outing' them, when same-sex attraction was illegal. A touch of McCarthyism. Anyway it was a great way to stop any female uprising within the church. I mean govt employers wouldn't want unsavory types working with children and patients. You remember...a professional middle aged woman back then was generally a nurse or a teacher.It was pretty difficult back then for a single woman to keep herslf without a job. And every likelihood she wasn't going to be reemployed either. Destitution was all she had to look forward to because she was a same -sex attracted criminal until 1984. It was made it even more difficult when all she had done with her life was serve God through her church, and now her church and family members shunned her. Remember when the word 'she' was a collective term for sisterhood? Those tough times are over for those feminists but what is really exciting is the new movement that is surging forward. Won't it be great when people think about their faith in terms of how they treat each other? When all discrimination is abolished within the church, so then and only then, will someone's sexuality no longer be a means of censoring truth through fear?
It's been great chatting with a Ms. SolEmnis. If I had noticed your name earlier I would have written sooner. Your name was obscured by another friend of mine... Nellie the Elephant. As a feminist, you well know freedom of speech is such liberating thing and just conversing with someone who has been through the same things is something to be cherished.
How about Nellie, you and I relive the 80's with this memorable song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pu0Fn1oRN4

Ms O VernOut

Anonymous said...

Thank you Fr Troll (future bishop of Durham) and your wiity court jester with the wide load.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STKkWj2WpWM

Ms A Solemnis; Nelly the Elephant said...

Nice to have fans. Thanks.

Amanda Hugginkiss said...

Has anyone seen Peter Ould?

I heard he was looking for me.

Anonymous said...

I've heard Ms.O.VernOut's story before. It was about 1990 when I passed it on to another. It was a story which left one with such empathy and a hole in the heart. When I shared the story I had a TWIN like experience and my faith became a beautiful stained glass window. I've heard the truth can set someone free from the psychological prison and the razor wire of fear that keeps them prisoner. Let's hope Ms. O. VernOut experiences that freedom.

From Emancipation - The Australian Race Horse (and mare)of the Year -1984

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_(horse)

Anonymous said...

The infallible word of God by an anti- Evangelical Fundamentalist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in9dBuA_sIk

Let's see whose infallible word is really truth ...the mupphets or Mahalia's.

Brother David said...

Padre Troll, your blog is really getting strange. Most of these comments go over my head, and who has time to watch all of those stupid videos!

The Rev. Dr. Christian Troll said...

You're by no means alone in finding comments going over your head, Dah•veed - here at St. Onuphrius' most of the Ministry Team are feeling the same. I believe that's because the commenters are speaking a dialect used exclusively among prisoners held captive in the Diocese of Mordor, which must by needs be incomprehensible to outsiders lest the guards understand what their captives are planning.

Remember also that, like yourself, English is not Australians' first language - irrespective of any claims they may make to the contrary. Unlike you, however, it's rarely their second language either. My usual strategy is to simply smile, keep a close watch on my wallet, and offer them beer should they become agitated. Unless, of course, they've been ensnared by the cult of Jensenism, in which case instead of alcohol one should repeatedly chant "JensenBibleJensenBibleJensen" until they've calmed down and under no circumstances should the figure "$160 million" be mentioned: this will invariably induce hyperventilation and lead to an indescribably tortuous tirade about how "nobody was really gambling at all".

Anonymous said...

No Australia doesn't have a human rights charter. Some religious groups and conservative politicians are trying very hard to prevent any form of legislation eventhough a majority of the population are in favour. They are the same influential people who opposed and manipulated the questions when voting on the referendum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_republic_referendum,_1999

Hyperpolitically challenged but will learn and thank you.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad someone knows what's going on!

Calamity Jane said...

obviously he knows more than us...for it is written (last year)