Social media and a plastic alphabet tiled notice board. The language of the people?

Let me introduce you to Father Rod Bowers!

Father Rod has become something of an institution in Australia in recent years thanks to social media. He is the master of the pithy comment.  Many, many love him.  Many, many loathe him.  I am pretty certain that to-day's comment (the Islamic equivalent of Merry Christmas or Happy New Year for Christians) will drive the fanatics and the bigots nuts.  However, that doesn't both Father Rod.  Go here and you will find a mass of his epigrams for people to enjoy or be driven nutty.  But he won't be stopped!

If you want something a little bit longer and meatier than Father Rod's succinct signage, you can get his sermons. They are erudite and meatier and you can get a feel for the man himself in action.  People sometimes wonder out aloud what Father Rod's boss, the Bishop, thinks of all this. First of all, I think everyone in the Diocese of Newcastle is used to all this.  Second of all, thanks to electronic media, he has acquired as much or more fame than Jesus did in His day and - what is more - he uses it wisely and well.  

So, please join me and many other Australians tonight at 9.35pm.  Father Rod - or to give him his precise title the Venerable Rod Bower - when he appears on the ABC current affairs television program, Q and A.

.... and a little more over here.