Diocesan News26 Dec 04

Bishop Colton criticises inaccurate journalism

BISHOP OF CORK CRITICISES INACCURATE JOURNALISM

Bishop Colton not in England on 23rd December 2004 and did not preside at the Baptism of the Beckham's children

The Bishop of Cork, Bishop Paul Colton, today strongly criticized those sections of the media which indulged in speculation and wrongly concluded that because he had married David and Victoria Beckham in 1999 that he also presided at the baptism of their children on 23rd December.

Bishop Colton said, "It would appear to be the classic case of adding two and two and making five.

"This sort of thing is a product of the prurient obsession that many in the media and in society at large have with celebrity families such as David and Victoria Beckham and their children.

"The simple fact of the matter is that I did not officiate at this occasion. At the time it was happening I was visiting, prior to Christmas, those in my diocese who had been bereaved in the previous year.

"This sort of inaccurate story writing leaves one wondering where exactly the truth lies generally in news reports such as these.

"I also have to wonder now whether those journalists will report their own inaccuracy and untruths with the same alacrity they have devoted to the peddling of this false account of the Christening of the Beckham children."