27th December 2012
Looking back on a fascinating diplomatic experience
The following is a guest blog by Justin Bedford, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy to the Holy See.
“Sadly for me, this Christmas is my last in Rome, as I approach the end of my posting as Deputy Head of Mission at this Embassy. As I prepare to depart in January, this end-of-year moment gives me a chance to look back on my time in this job, and what it has meant for me. To say it’s been a fascinating and busy three-and-a-half years is perhaps something of an understatement, as I reflect on some highlights that spring to mind. Here are just a few:
1. A first year spent preparing for the historic State-level Visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the UK in September 2010. The Embassy was closely involved in the preparations, from fine-tuning the itinerary, to planning the major events, and in particular designing the important policy-focussed dinner hosted by the Foreign Secretary at Lancaster House. In many ways the Communiqué that emerged from that event set the agenda for much of the Embassy’s work in the period that followed. It also paved the way for:
2. The visit to the Vatican by a delegation of seven UK Government Ministers in February 2012. Led by Baroness Warsi, now Minister of State at the Foreign Office, this important visit produced its own substantive Communiqué that brought into sharp focus the depth of the relationship between the UK and the Holy See, and the extraordinary range of issues on which we have shared interests and concerns.
3. Seeing the value of the Holy See’s global networks. Beyond its own diplomatic network of Nunciatures, the positive contributions that the Catholic Church’s networks provide – often unsung – have been striking: one thinks for example of the 25% of all HIV/AIDS clinics that are run by Catholic organisations, the Jesuit Refugee Service which is present in many of the world’s trouble-spots, the Society of St Columban which does invaluable pastoral work in China and other parts of Asia. This in addition to Caritas Internationalis which co-ordinates the work of some 164 national Caritas charities around the world.
4. Taking part in great Vatican celebrations such as the Beatification of Pope John Paul II in May 2011, which saw Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester represent Her Majesty The Queen.
5. Helping to facilitate the visit by the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, to Rome in December 2011, when he spoke powerfully at the Pontifical Gregorian University at the height of the European financial crisis. A visit full of meaning and of hope for the future of Catholic-Jewish relations, and I was proud to have been part of it.
6. A meeting with a group of young British Muslim students preparing for their vocations as imams. As their Embassy to the Holy See, we were able to set out to the group the nature and purpose of the diplomatic relationship that we manage. At a time when religion is becoming increasingly important in international affairs, we discussed the importance of maintaining a close dialogue with the leadership of one of the world’s great religions, one with unique links and dialogues of its own with the other great religions of the world.
7. Together with the Anglican Church of All Saints, and with the British Council in Rome, hosting a happy event to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen (the weather was very kind).
8. Receiving the blessing and good wishes of Pope Benedict for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in summer 2012.
9. Taking a look back, by means of a “Colloquium” hosted by the Venerable English College in Rome, at 30 years of full diplomatic relations with the Holy See, which were upgraded to coincide with the visit of Pope John Paul II to the UK in 1982.
So, busy and fascinating? – you bet. But as with so many things in life, it’s been the people that have really made it special. I shall miss the contacts and friends I have made here: the team at this Embassy, interlocutors inside the Vatican, colleagues within the diplomatic community and other friends in the wider religious community in Rome. The life of a diplomat is full of greetings and farewells, and while that transient lifestyle can bring many positives, it is nonetheless always hard to say goodbye. But as I do so now, I can take some satisfaction from the hope that through my work at the Holy See, I have been able to make a small contribution to bringing people together and making the world a better place.
Happy New Year 2013!”
Interesting blog. You’re right that there are a lot of reasons for maintaining a relationship with the Holy See. However, the role of an Ambassador is to also have a critical eye, and be able to deliver difficult messages. On paragraph 3, you don’t mention the negative influence that the Catholic Church has had on HIV/AIDS (i.e. some of the Pope’s messages on condom use are outrageous). No mention either of the negative effect of the Pope’s messages on LGBT issues. We need to have a far more robust, and less fawning relationship with the Vatican.
Thank you for your comment. You are quite right that any diplomatic relationship has to be critical. Of course the tone of our public messages is, in general, positive. But part of the reason for building a relationship of trust and engagement is that you are in a better position to deliver those difficult messages when required. I think that if you spoke with our interlocutors at the Holy See, they would agree that our discussions are very often frank and robust, and there are issues on which we have to agree to disagree. That’s what a mature diplomatic relationship is all about.