Confessions: Future Vicars And Fake Saints

Twenty years ago, when Simon was a whippersnapper presenter on BBC Radio 1, he received thousands of letters from listeners confessing their darkest secrets and worst misdemeanours, begging for his forgiveness. Every day, Father Mayo read out a confession - and then he'd decide whether to grant forgiveness or not.

Now Confessions is back on BBC Radio 2 Drivetime. Read a Confession below, then Send Simon Your Confession

Dear Father Simon, Sister Rebecca and Brother Matt,

Forgive me for I have misled thy holy church. Well, its future leaders anyway.

I'm training to be a Church of England vicar at a large theological college in the east of England. Every morning at 8.15 we gather in chapel for Morning Prayer, and each student takes it in turns to lead.

A few weeks ago it was my turn, and I started proceedings by announcing that this morning we would be especially remembering St Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury in the late 15th century. As is usual I then gave a short biography of St Edmund's life. Of how St Edmund assumed that position at a time when belief in God was not part of the job description. Of how he stumbled into the job after his two predecessors met tragic and untimely deaths, and how, in order to avoid a similar fate for himself, he and his two friends found it necessary to hide in a convent disguised as nuns.

There was a little stifled giggling amongst the assembled throng, and one tutor was heard to say "those were the good old days!" Detecting some scepticism as to the validity of my tale I reassured all those present that I wasn't making it up - it was straight from the big black book which I was holding in my hand.

However, Father, I feel I must now confess. This summer I will be ordained as a clergyman and will be moving to a new parish. I must cleanse my conscience and promise never to mislead my future flock.

There was a real St Edmund. He was Archbishop of Canterbury. But his saints day is in November, not January. The Edmund one I described in my college chapel was Edmund Blackadder, from Series 1, episode 3. The big black book I was holding in my hand was the 'Official Blackadder Complete Scripts'. However subsequent research has found that there was a real Archbishop Blackadder of Glasgow in the same time period as the series was set....

I have sinned. Will you forgive me?

Steve, future curate of an undisclosed location.

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