BRITAIN’S FOREIGN office has apologised for a memo written by a junior diplomat which suggested that Pope Benedict XVI should open an abortion clinic and bless a gay marriage when he visits Britain later this year.
The document also proposes that the pope launch “Benedict” branded condoms during his visit.
British foreign secretary David Miliband is said to have been “appalled” by the incident.
The UK’s ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Campbell, has met senior Holy See officials to express regret on behalf of the government.
“This is clearly a foolish document that does not in any way reflect UK government or FCO policy or views,” a spokesman for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said. “Many of the ideas in the document are clearly ill-judged, naive and disrespectful.
“The FCO very much regrets this incident and is deeply sorry for the offence which it has caused. We strongly value the close and productive relationship between the UK government and the Holy See and look forward to deepening this further with the visit of Pope Benedict to the UK later this year.”
According to a report in the Sunday Telegraph, the proposals resulted from a "brainstorm" session and were contained in a memo headlined "The ideal visit would see . . .". The memo was then circulated among officials in UK prime minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street office and at the foreign office.
The document, which had a cover note acknowledging that some of the proposals were “far-fetched”, also suggested that Pope Benedict should launch a helpline for abused children.
The foreign office spokesman said no ministers had been shown the document and it was withdrawn when senior officials became aware of it.
The individual responsible for the memo has been transferred to other duties.
Pope Benedict’s visit to Britain is due to take place from September 16th-19th. It will be the first papal visit to the country since 1982. He is due to meet the queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual head of the Anglican Church.
Scottish first minister Alex Salmond said the memo was “incredibly offensive”.
“It just seems extraordinary there should be these juvenile antics over a serious visit,” he said.
Holy See: guarded relations
THE HOLY See yesterday seemed keen not to let a leaked British Foreign Office paper upset Vatican-UK diplomatic relations.
Asked about the document, senior Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi yesterday declined to comment, adding that there was “no need to ruin the good relations between the British government and the Vatican”.
Vatican observers point out that, notwithstanding its highly undiplomatic and offensive tone, the document was indeed “official”, adding that it would indicate that someone in Whitehall may be attempting to sabotage the forthcoming papal visit.
UK ambassador to the Holy See Francis Campbell met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday to issue a formal apology.
Sources say he was given a sympathetic reception.