Off the Record

the vicar is quicker and thicker and slicker ... By Diogenes | September 10, 2008 11:44 AM

Ever feel despondent at our Catholic Church's problems with shonky theologians, quisling politicians, and triathlete-grappling bishops? Sure you do. If you think we've got it bad, however, there's always consolation around the corner. In times of distress, the C of What's Left of E comes to the rescue with a news story about some unbuttoned curate moonlighting as an imam, a druidess, or a student chaplain at Georgetown. The latest newsmaker is the Reverend Miss Skye Benno,  who ministers to her flock as a Goth without Portfolio. Skye justs wants to be Skye: 

'I did walk down the street in biker boots, hot pants and dog collar and got a few looks. I don't do it to be difficult  --  it's just me.

'The Church can be quite cliquey and it's important for me to keep it real and not be another stuffy, middle-class vicar.'

Miss Denno moved to the town with her partner Joel and their two young children last month to take up her new role. 

A boost to morale, as P.J. O'Rourke says, the way dropping a cinder block on your foot makes your headache feel better.   Thanks, your Reverence. We needed that.

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Sound Off! Comments

• Posted by: SentimentalGent - Sep. 13, 2008 2:41 PM ET USA

  It's too bad the C of E doesn't have the courage to attach a leash to that dog collar and rein the little darling in.

• Posted by: James the Least - Sep. 10, 2008 8:55 PM ET USA

  The ironic--and sick--thing is, in this day and age people are going to interpret that Roman collar as some kind of statement, rather than a real mark of the clergy. They're going to think she's engaging in some anti-clerical, anti-church, or anti-religious protest, the exact opposite of what she claims to be for (or is it?).

• Posted by: patriot6908 - Sep. 10, 2008 5:20 PM ET USA

  I predict a great career high in the branches of academia. Gosh Cambridge and Hyde Park must be salivating at the thought of her residency there. By the way does the dog collar go over or under the roman collar?

• Posted by: Linus682 - Sep. 10, 2008 1:48 PM ET USA

  These days the absurdities never seem to stop.