The scandalous memo from the Foreign Office about the Papal visit reminds me of that old communist era ‘joke’.

Don’t think it.  If you must think it, don’t say it.  If you must say it, whatever you do, DON’T write it down.

And for goodness, sake – if you do write it down for a bit of shared giggles amongst your colleagues, don’t circulate it in a memo to senior members of staff.

Some junior schmuck at the Foreign Office wrote a memo suggesting a variety of activities for the Pope during his forthcoming visit to the UK.  Blessing a gay marriage.  Opening an abortion clinic.  Launching a papally endorsed brand of condoms.

Smirk worthy, crass and vaguely amusing in a school boy sort of way respectively.  But clearly should not have ever, ever risen above the level of 30 seconds of quick banter before actually settling down to work.   I understand how a little inappropriate humor can be a trigger for creativity at the start of a brainstorming session.  But if you must engage in that kind of silliness, leave it at that before moving on to suggest visits to Canterbury or singing children at a flagship Catholic primary school.   Someone is not nearly as funny as they think they are.

Although also on the list of the infamous memo was issuing a public apology to the people of England for the Spanish Armada*.

Which I thought was absolutely inspired.

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Update: not only was the Spanish invasion of England granted papal blessing, it apparently received financial backing, too.