Would you entrust your life to a clown?

As summer draws on and the waters rise, pull up an old comfortable armchair, sling a log or two on the fire and pour yourself something soothing, like a glass of Wincarnis.

I would wish for you to join me in a little series of scenarios.

 Imagine that you are about to engage in an activity where your life is going to depend on the integrity and ability of one man.

What would you ask of him?

Would you wish him to be utterly competent in what he is about to do?

Do you want him to look and act the part?

Would you be delighted and assured if he knew his subject inside out and was, in fact, master of it?

So please tell me which of the following fits into that frame……

1. The airline pilot who likes dressing up as Batman

This is the sort of man who will greet you over the intercom with “Good morning everybody, and how are you all today”

Do you feel your confidence levels dropping?

2. The Open Heart Surgeon who believes in a chatty approach: “Just think of me as President of the Operating Theatre, I’ve moved a few things around so they are not in their usual place but we’ll cope just fine”

Is it time, perhaps, you had a change of heart and looked for a surgeon with more than a Certificate of Self Assessment to his name?

                               
   3. The Parachute Packer who likes to experiment with
       new (untried) ways of folding the silk and who has a
       team of amateur helpers to assist him

Would you be relaxed at jumping with one of this man’s parachutes strapped to your back?

Photo: Catholic Church Conservation blog

4. The Catholic Priest who dresses up as a clown………need I say more?