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CNN Live Today
Interview with British Consulate Chaplain
Aired November 21, 2003 - 11:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Turkish officials say 17 deaths from the bombings that we've been telling you about in Turkey were at the British consulate. The British consul general was among those killed. The chaplain of the consulate, Reverend Ian Sherwood, is joining us now by phone from Istanbul.
Thanks so much for being with us, chaplain, and I know that you've had a chance to visit the crisis center, working with some of the employees there. Tell us a little bit about how people are doing, first off.
FATHER IAN SHERWOOD, BRITISH CONSULATE CHAPLAIN: Well, I have to say, I have only been once to the office where the British diplomatic service is trying to organize things. But as you would expect, people are calm and resilient, despite the terrible bereavement that they are experiencing. And it is quite an outstanding example of hate, I suppose, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) something that's ghastly, and chaotic and sad at the moment.
COLLINS: We are looking at some of the pictures that, as you say, are quite tragic, devastation left behind from these bombings. Consul General Roger Short, how well did you know him? What was your relationship?
SHERWOOD: I knew him extremely well. He attended the chaplaincy services, and was friend. And we had a good critical relationship with each other. I knew Roger and I know Victoria Short, and his children and consider them friends, and have enjoyed their hospitality on many occasions, not least three nights ago when they entertained the archbishop of Canterbury, and a considerable portion of the community here in Istanbul to supper in their home.
COLLINS: I know that you've spoke with Victoria, I believe yesterday it was. What were you able to tell her? What were your words of encouragement for her?
SHERWOOD: I'm not quite sure. I think Victoria is encouraging all of us in the most outstanding way. And she is a mother, and as somebody so terribly bereaved in this, has been able to basically hold court and keep people entertained and humored, because nobody knows what to say in such terrible circumstances.
COLLINS: And it is your business, nonetheless, to be trying to help people through things like this.
SHERWOOD: Yes. COLLINS: But when you look at these types of incidents, terrorism in particular, what is it that comes to your mind as a person, as a chaplain?
SHERWOOD: Well, you know, I don't feel that this particular terrorism has gone on for 20 years, and that the western society doesn't want to come to terms with the realities of what was particular terrorism is about.
And I have felt that Mr. Bush's visit to London, that the protests and all that sort of thing have been just shocking and appalling. And the one person in the world who is prepared to stand up to these evil monsters should be ridiculed by the flotsam and jetsam of British society is quite appalling, and not representative, as you know, of the majority of people. Now I hope that people will continue to stand up, stand up to this.
COLLINS: You're speaking of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair?
SHERWOOD: I am indeed. And I'm thinking of all those losses of various countries who are prepared to risk our necks in such terrible circumstances.
COLLINS: Well, sir, you are there, and you are seeing it all firsthand, and we certainly do appreciate you taking the time to help us see what has happened in Istanbul, Turkey.
Reverend Ian Sherman, the chaplain of the British consulate there, thank you so much, again, for your time.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 21, 2003 - 11:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Turkish officials say 17 deaths from the bombings that we've been telling you about in Turkey were at the British consulate. The British consul general was among those killed. The chaplain of the consulate, Reverend Ian Sherwood, is joining us now by phone from Istanbul.
Thanks so much for being with us, chaplain, and I know that you've had a chance to visit the crisis center, working with some of the employees there. Tell us a little bit about how people are doing, first off.
FATHER IAN SHERWOOD, BRITISH CONSULATE CHAPLAIN: Well, I have to say, I have only been once to the office where the British diplomatic service is trying to organize things. But as you would expect, people are calm and resilient, despite the terrible bereavement that they are experiencing. And it is quite an outstanding example of hate, I suppose, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) something that's ghastly, and chaotic and sad at the moment.
COLLINS: We are looking at some of the pictures that, as you say, are quite tragic, devastation left behind from these bombings. Consul General Roger Short, how well did you know him? What was your relationship?
SHERWOOD: I knew him extremely well. He attended the chaplaincy services, and was friend. And we had a good critical relationship with each other. I knew Roger and I know Victoria Short, and his children and consider them friends, and have enjoyed their hospitality on many occasions, not least three nights ago when they entertained the archbishop of Canterbury, and a considerable portion of the community here in Istanbul to supper in their home.
COLLINS: I know that you've spoke with Victoria, I believe yesterday it was. What were you able to tell her? What were your words of encouragement for her?
SHERWOOD: I'm not quite sure. I think Victoria is encouraging all of us in the most outstanding way. And she is a mother, and as somebody so terribly bereaved in this, has been able to basically hold court and keep people entertained and humored, because nobody knows what to say in such terrible circumstances.
COLLINS: And it is your business, nonetheless, to be trying to help people through things like this.
SHERWOOD: Yes. COLLINS: But when you look at these types of incidents, terrorism in particular, what is it that comes to your mind as a person, as a chaplain?
SHERWOOD: Well, you know, I don't feel that this particular terrorism has gone on for 20 years, and that the western society doesn't want to come to terms with the realities of what was particular terrorism is about.
And I have felt that Mr. Bush's visit to London, that the protests and all that sort of thing have been just shocking and appalling. And the one person in the world who is prepared to stand up to these evil monsters should be ridiculed by the flotsam and jetsam of British society is quite appalling, and not representative, as you know, of the majority of people. Now I hope that people will continue to stand up, stand up to this.
COLLINS: You're speaking of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair?
SHERWOOD: I am indeed. And I'm thinking of all those losses of various countries who are prepared to risk our necks in such terrible circumstances.
COLLINS: Well, sir, you are there, and you are seeing it all firsthand, and we certainly do appreciate you taking the time to help us see what has happened in Istanbul, Turkey.
Reverend Ian Sherman, the chaplain of the British consulate there, thank you so much, again, for your time.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
