Bishop hijacked my son's funeral, says dad of dead soldier; GRIEVING FAMILY'S ANGER AT 'LONG POLITICAL DIATRIBE': 'I feel completely let down by the Church'. (2024)

Byline: RACHAEL MISSTEAR

THE father of a Welsh soldier killed in Afghanistan accused abishop yesterday of "hijacking" his son's funeral service for political propaganda.

Dennis Robinson criticised Bishop Thomas Burns for"diminishing" the commemoration of Bombardier SamuelRobinson's life by delivering an "incredibly longdiatribe" on armed forces funding.

Bdr Robinson, a member of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, was killedby an explosion in the Sangin district of Helmand on July 8. He was 31.His body was cremated on Friday following a military funeral service atCarmarthen's St Mary's RC Church.

Bishop Burns is Bishop of the West Wales Roman Catholic diocese ofMenevia and a former Bishop of the Forces. In his funeral address, hevoiced an > appeal for better funding for the Army. Mr Robinsonyesterday told the Western Mail: "I just feel there were very fewwords of comfort from the bishop whatsoever. This is the most difficultthing any of us will ever have to deal with and I feel completely letdown by the Church. "If that is all the support that religion cangive at a time like this, then I want no part of it." After theservice, Mr Robinson said he told the bishop his sermon had made himproud to be an atheist. He added: "To use this kind of politicalpropaganda was wholly inappropriate and totally diminished what wassupposed to be an acknowledgment of my son's life. We hoped itwould give us some closure.

"It was an incredibly long diatribe, which centred on armyfunding and not the loss which we had suffered. It could not have beenmore inappropriate." Bishop Thomas said cuts in funding of the warwere not the answer and said there was a moral imperative that Britishsoldiers should have all the equipment required to complete their tasksafely. It is not the first time the bishop has made such a call. InApril he made a similar plea at the funeral of Fusilier JonathanBurgess, 20, of Townhill, Swansea. Mr Robinson, 61, said he feltinsulted when he discovered a similar service had been delivered before."I was told by one of the soldiers that the same sermon had beengiven, almost word for word, at the funeral of a soldier in April,"he said. "It just goes to show that very little thought had beengiven to Samuel, his life and the grief of his family."Samuel's sister Corinna Robinson said she had written a letter ofcomplaint to the bishop. "We were devastated that the service washijacked in such a way," she said.

"The fact that Sam was killed by an explosive device and notthrough any lack of equipment or funding, just goes to highlight howunrelated the long sermon was to my brother." Bishop Burns has beena vociferous critic of the Ministry of Defence, complaining thattroops' activities are often jeopardised by poor equipment,outmoded vehicles and "inadequate apparel". Yesterday thebishop said his thoughts were with Samuel's family but refused tobe drawn about the criticism of his sermon. In a statement he said:"I respect Mr Robinson's personal views and I share in thegrief of him and his family at the loss of wonderful son [sic]."Clifford Longley, commentator on religious affairs, said he believed thebishop's reading was ill-judged. "Bishop Tom was a topCatholic chaplain to the Army (though he used to be a Royal Navychaplain). So he knows whereof he speaks. "Clearly he has causedupset, and that would certainly not have been his intention. BishopBurns has been outspoken on this subject before, and I know feels he hasa duty to speak up for the interests and welfare of ordinary Britishsoldiers.

"Clearly on this occasion that was not appreciated, and somefences need to be mended. In general funerals should not be used aspolitical platforms, but no doubt the bishop thought he had a duty todischarge. But it was ill-judged, obviously, as it did not have theeffect intended. But the bishop's heart surely is in the rightplace." Labour backbencher Paul Flynn MP, a staunch opponent of thewar in Afghanistan., said it was totally inappropriate to deliver apolitical message at a funeral. "I find it extraordinary thatanyone would think it appropriate to deliver any political messages atsuch a sensitive time," he said. "The pulpit of the Prince ofPeace should never be used in such a way. "The fact that SamuelRobinson was killed by an explosive device makes the sermon even moreimpersonal and indicates that this was a piece of politicalpropaganda." Meanwhile, Mr Robinson said he was grateful the Armyhad been so supportive.

"Thankfully eulogies were read out by Lieutenant ColonelRichard Hayhurst and we heard about the kind of person my son was. Thatat least was of great comfort. We totally support the troops inAfghanistan and know that Sam died doing the job he loved."Bombardier Robinson was described by his colleagues as "theultimate professional" and an outstanding example to all of thesoldiers in the regiment. > YOUR VOTE: PAGE 19

WHAT THE BISHOP SAID "Too many have sealed the militarycovenant with their own blood. "When will Afghan institutions riseout of the dust to take responsibility for their own affairs? "Whenwill there be the proper funding to achieve this and for ongoingmilitary vehicles, more and better helicopters and better intelligence -all of which are so badly needed? "Surely this will mean fewerlives will be sacrificed in the future? "Samuel is the kind ofyoung man we need in Britain today; he put the welfare of others beforehimself. "We cannot afford to lose him and others like him. Whyshould there be any more excuses? What else is there to be done thanthis?" Bishop Burns also paid further tribute to Bdr Robinson,calling him "brave, courageous and loyal."

CAPTION(S):

Dennis Robinson and his son Samuel, killed in Afghanistan BishopThomas Burns at the funeral Dennis Robinson, father of Samuel Robinsonwho was killed in Afghanistan