Anyone who doubts that we live in a special time, when the holy walk among us to remind us of our sins, will surely have their cynicism laid to rest by the appearance of a new portrait of the environmental campaigner and naturalist Chris Packham.
The picture, commissioned by the Radio Times, shows the well-known TV presenter as the famous Italian nature-loving mystic and friar St Francis of Assisi (1181–1226). Appropriately enough, it is currently on view in a former chapel, now used to display art. The Telegraph has the story:
Chris Packham has posed as St Francis of Assisi in a portrait celebrating him as a ‘living saint’.
The portrait of the presenter and environmental campaigner is now on show on the altar of the Fitzrovia Chapel, central London.
Originally commissioned by Radio Times magazine to mark Earth Day, it is the work of photographic artist Richard Ansett.
Packham is surrounded by images of some of the UK’s most endangered species. Mr Ansett said it also made reference to Packham’s neurodiversity – the presenter was diagnosed with autism in his 40s.
“I hope that every pixel of this portrait offers a safe space for anyone challenged by neurodiversity. Packham’s remarkable connection to the natural world drives him relentlessly to save us from ourselves,” Mr Ansett said.
Packham himself, with his trademark Franciscan-style humility, has no doubt about the importance of the picture and its power to inspire others:
Packham said: “This photo is about a fundamental level of engagement, an engagement of equals. It conveys the importance of nature to heal us, provide us with a sanctuary in times of terrible trouble.
“But the species featured are also rare or declining so it serves to remind us that our one and only home, our Earth, is on a brink too many are refusing to see and act to protect and repair.
“This is a photograph about love, a love of life, all life.”
Worth reading in full.
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What a f£@king Arrogant a^se hole!
Packham is a self-made man who worships his creator.
…thus relieving the Almighty of a terrible responsibility.
(as an old joke has it)
😀😀😀
The picture, commissioned by the Radio Times…
Is that still a thing?
Bar banter like this might attract if Rayner’s Law passes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9LBo5nwg8I
Could he be more vain? Or smug.
And he wonders why he’s not universally loved!
I think if that had been me, and I was a public figure, I would say to myself, what does this say about me?
Saint Francis lived in poverty… so St Packham will you be giving up all Earthly wealth and pleasures?
Woe betide any of St Packham’s avian friends going anywhere near St Packham’s blessed bird mincers.
And for the record, Mr Ansett, I don’t need saving from myself, but I do need saving from the collapse of the electricity grid St Packham so neurodiversely strives for.
Hopefully it will be his Katy Perry in space moment
“This is a photograph about love, a love of life, all life.”
And above about Self, and his godlike status. TWAT
“… It conveys the importance of nature to heal us, provide us with a sanctuary in times of terrible trouble.”
Wonderfully profound words.
“As soon as we get as many people vaccinated as possible, that’s when we’ll overcome this crisis.”
These words, not so profound!
This has nothing to do with environmentalist or autism, and everything to do with narcissism.
Prior to that we just thought he was a prat.
Now we know about it we can say with confidence that he’s an autistic prat.
Idiot savant.
Excellent 😂😂😂
Commissioned by the Radio Times.
More licence fee money well spent…
Ah, but don’t forget the BBC desperately need more of our money to cover their core delivery for the nation… hmmmm
What an absolute tosser.
A proper church is a consecrated space, so nothing like that should be displayed.
Even putting that to one side, the picture is revoltingly tasteless and narcissistic.
Also mocks St Francis of Assisi.
Agreed. I find it insulting and offensive. That has nothing to do with woke BS just gratuitously offensive.
Nature is “red in tooth and claw”. It is not a Disney film.
Vain twat.
As a Catholic I could say I am offended by this man representing himself as one of the holy saints, but unlike the religion of peace, Mr Packham realises that by his use of one specific religions holy icons he is safe, I wonder if he would be brave enough to depict himself as another senior holy icon from a famous religion of peace wbich is the favoured relgion of the elites and politico of the country.
I suspect his desire to be seen as holy and worthy, only goes so far.
Incidentally Francis lived a life of poverty, he became a beggar and a preacher, he founded the Fransican order and is venerated in Italy.
Packham on the other hand has never lived a life of poverty, but has lived off the riches of being a TV presenter and seleb, he no doubt lives in a very nice home, has never wanted for anything, and yet he compares himself to one of the most highly venerated Saints.
If there were a blasphemy law bought into this country, (with which I disagree), it would bring me the greatest of pleasure to have this conceited, virtue signalling, celeb brought before a Court.
Crucified?
No, he should not be brought to court, that’s wrong.
Being mocked, ridiculed and, from time to time persecuted is part of being a Christian.
For example Jesus in front of the Sanhedrin. Also one of the Stations of the Cross.
Let him ridicule St Francis. Yes, it’s tasteless and narcissistic but it won’t do any harm to St Francis. Our faith should be strong enough to take it.
I too am Catholic. Many of our predecessors met brutal ends particularly under Henry and his daughter Elizabeth. I’m not so sure this little khant would be so mocking if he had to live under similar circumstances.
Actually…thinking about it…
He just PI@@ES me off, as does the rest of his sanctimonious ilk
He so approves of this tasteless portrait that he poses beside it with a smug grin. What a complete tit.
Protestants get a hard on desecrating their religious spaces.
Doubtless when
the occasion suitsthe money’s right he’ll have a tea towel on his head. Feckin whore.Turning TV presenters into saints just demonstrates that Eco Lunacy is a form of religion for them.
So let me get this… Donald Trump ironically posting an AI of himself as Pope = narcissistic, insulting, disrespectful, Hitler etc etc
Packham actually posing as a Catholic Saint for a publication that represents the UK national broadcaster = respectful, appropriate, historically literate?
Very good point well made.
What a knob.
The strange thing is the Chris Packham is in favour of wind turbines, machines that kill birds and bats. They definitely pose a risk to migrating birds, as many of them are planned for the East of England.
I don’t think St Francis would have supported the widespread use of wind turbines.
There is nothing natural about Packham
My personal experience is that, since restrictions on controlling birds such as wood pigeons on farmland were toughened up, thanks largely to the work of Packham and his ilk, the local wood pigeon population has exploded. They, along with increasing numbers of crows, magpies and other corvids, have slowly invaded gardens in our town. At the same time, the number of songbirds and small garden birds such as starlings, sparrows, greenfinches and chaffinches (can’t remember the last time I saw either of those last two in the garden) have fallen dramatically. Is it just a coincidence? Or is it that they’ve been displaced / had their nests raided / been unable to compete for food? All because the eco zealots think they’re standing up for nature.
My understanding is only the dead can be saints.