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Pullman’s son marries in full Catholic ceremony

Posted by Ian on April 26, 2008 at 9:18 pm

According to gossip-site Popbitch, Philip Pullman’s son got married last weekend in a full Catholic wedding ceremony. The words of Popbitch:

Wedding day bliss for Pullman

Philip Pullman may be one of our foremost atheists but his son got married at the weekend in a Catholic church with full mass, a choir and a soloist who sang Ave Maria. Pullman even gave a reading from Corinthians ending “God is love”, to one or two raised eyebrows. He didn’t, however, take communion.

Source.

Skye says:

I can’t find any other articles about this… I find it unlikely.

April 26, 2008 11:41 pm | link

Ian says:

Well while Popbitch is just a gossip newsletter, the Times took it seriously enough to give it a mention: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3811435.ece

I don’t particularly see it as unlikely - why would someone lie about such a thing, there’s no gain to be had…

April 27, 2008 12:23 am | link

Matt Pellizzari says:

That a boy Pullman!

April 27, 2008 2:09 am | link

daemon_light says:

hmmm… interesting.

April 27, 2008 7:37 am | link

Skye says:

Alright, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Pullman doesn’t have anything to gain, but the gossip site does. Stirring up interest is what they do.

If true, I would certainly like to hear his opinion on it, but given his response in the second article, it’s unlikely that we ever will.
It’s just that, to be married in a Catholic church, you must say that you will raise your children as Catholic. I’d be interested to know what Pullman thinks about the possibility of having future Catholic grandchildren.
(And it was silly of the first site to say that he didn’t take communion… If you’re not Catholic, you can’t.)

April 27, 2008 10:10 am | link

Domenico says:

Well, if this proves true, it doesn’t surprise me. Pullman may be an atheist (actually I seem to recall he is more an agnostic), but he greatly respect others’ opinions and religion.
If true, it’s a great proof of tolerance and open-mindness, two things Pullman always fought for.

April 27, 2008 2:55 pm | link

Serafina_tikklya says:

If it is true, so what. It is his son’s wedding, not his own. Any parent who loves his/her child would do as his child asks within his/her own parameters of decency and tolerance, to make their child’s wedding a joyous event.

April 27, 2008 6:51 pm | link

rococofied says:

I doubt the authenticity of this report, as I have yet to hear of it from elsewhere.

However, if this turn out to be true, so much the better. It only demonstrates that Philip Pullman is not the angry atheist he has been made out to be by American Christian fundamentalists. He acts with a tolerance that we all should. I could easily see him behaving in such a graceful manner.

April 27, 2008 9:49 pm | link

Ethan says:

Ok its is possible but very unlikely But if he did it was only for his son and not at all for the religious aspects. i don’t think he would be such a sellout.

April 28, 2008 5:41 am | link

daemon_light says:

Haha! Skye’s right! I’m Episcopal and I can’t take communion at my Catholic school. I’m SOO glad I’m Episcopal though…