Theo Hobson is writing a regular column for Coffee House on religion. This week he tackles the legacy of Cardinal Newman and the Alpha Movement’s new ad campaign.
Frankly I don’t care whether or not Cardinal Newman’s remains are dug up and buried somewhere more saintly; the phrase ‘let the dead bury their own dead’ springs to mind. But it slightly amuses me that Peter Tatchell defends Newman’s right to be left where he is, next to the man whom he loved, Ambrose St John. On Newsnight,Tatchell was coy about what sort of love he thought was involved. He laughably described the friendship as a ‘same-sex’ relationship: it’s quite hard for two men to have a non-same-sex relationship.
The story is an opportunity to reflect on the pernicious legacy of the most famous failed Anglican before Tony Blair.

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