Speaking in an exclusive interview for The Times, the actor and comedian, who has played many clerics in his career, suggested they deserved to be mocked. But Christians have reacted angrily to those comments, describing them as “stereotypical” and unjustified. “I used to think that the vicars that I played or the exaggerated sketches about clerics were unreasonable satires on well meaning individuals,” Atkinson said in the interview.
“But, actually, so many of the clerics that I’ve met, particularly the Church of England clerics, are people of such extraordinary smugness and arrogance and conceitedness who are extraordinarily presumptuous about the significance of their position in society. “Increasingly, I believe that all the mud that Richard Curtis and I threw at them through endless sketches that we’ve done is more than deserved.” One of Atkinson’s most famous roles was that of bumbling vicar, Father Gerald in the 1994 film, Four Weddings and a Funeral, directed by Curtis.
The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev Nick Baines responded, saying: “We take the hit and I am sorry that this has been Rowan Atkinson’s experience. “But it takes no account of the thousands of self-sacrificial clergy who don’t fit this stereotype. I would be happy to introduce him to some.” The Mr Bean star will have surprised many with his comments, having been brought up and Anglican, as well as attending Durham Choristers School. A spokesman for the Church of England said:! The Church of England has a Christian presence and highly valued priests in every community.”
Today is ‘Back to Church Sunday’, and the spokesman added: “Everyone, including Rowan Atkinson, is warmly invited to reconnect with their local church to see just how welcoming it is.” Agencies
