Frank Skinner joins forces with the Catholic Church to keep priests celibate.

 

Frank Skinner joins forces with the Catholic Church to keep priests celibate

Frank Skinner is to defend priestly celibacy in a debate two days before Pope Benedict XVI visits Britain.

 

Frank Skinner forged his reputation through his laddish humour on television Photo: Stuart Clarke/ Rex Features

Frank Skinner made his name as the quintessential "new lad" whose comedy on such television programmes as Fantasy Football League was derided by critics as "crude and misogynistic".

The 53-year-old comedian has undergone such a transformation that he is to defend priestly celibacy alongside a Roman Catholic bishop in a debate in London two days before the visit of Pope Benedict XVI next month. Skinner, who lives with his long-term girlfriend Catherine Mason, will argue that celibacy should continue to be a requirement for Catholic priests.

The comedian, a practising Catholic, will be joined by Jack Valero, a spokesman for the controversial Catholic organisation Opus Dei, as well as a bishop and a priest.

They will debate against a team including Tina Beattie, a theologian, and Baroness Kennedy, a human rights lawyer. The debate will follow a screening of Conspiracy of Silence, a film about a priest who wishes to marry.

Last year, Skinner said he stopped going to Mass at 17 but returned to the faith after reading a book by the theologian Hans Küng.

At least he has some experience of celibacy. During the 1996 European Championships, he said he took such a vow to prove his devotion to football. "I’ll be living and breathing footie," he said. "No woman would put up with me.”

Tim Walker. Edited by Richard Eden
Published: 6:30AM BST 28 Aug 2010

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