My Lord Archbishop’s
grandfather was a German Jewish immigrant,
among those who have suffered
the sufferings
of his forefathers.

My Lord Archbishop was educated at Eton
among those who have inherited
the inheritances
of their forefathers.

These included a Prime Minister who submitted
My Lord Archbishop’s nomination
to the Queen.

What was the job description
for My Lord Archbishop’s exalted office?

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

My Lord Archbishop
studied Law at Cambridge University.

(This is the law of mankind:
Statutory law,
millions of pages,
millions of words
and punishments
imposed
by men on men
as part of the struggle
of man against man
for freedom, power and possessions.

Divine law is different:
“The Lord is One;
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart,
with all thy soul,
with all thy mind,
and love thy neighbour as thyself.”

You don’t need a BA in Law,
from Cambridge University
to learn twenty-nine words.)

While waiting for Jesus to call,
My Lord Archbishop
worked in the Oil Industry.

My Lord Archbishop
has not risen like a lotus from the mud,
to open the door to the Kingdom of Heaven
but like a financial executive from
the industry which causes
oil to rise from the mud.

Nor does he heal the sick by passing
on the Holy Spirit with his hands…

“The other day
I was praying over something
as I was running
and I ended up saying
to God:
‘Look this is all very well
but isn’t it about time
you did something
– if you’re there.’ ”

As a member of the House of Lords,
My Lord Archbishop sits
on the panel
of the Parliamentary Commission
on Banking Standards.

(poem from GNOMONIC VERSES)

.