A psychiatrist writes

Given the recent flood of concern over the mental health of our beloved columnist, Rodney Trotter, Derek and I have taken the unusual step of inviting well-known psychiatrist, Ronald Goebbels-Crippen to comment on his recent blogs: `Clearly, Trotter is suffering a form of sociopathy known to those of us familiar with psychobabble as Catholicus Sardonicus.  This manifests itself in terms of an attitude of mockery directed towards all things sacred, and is particularly prevalent among Roman Catholics.  Its occurrence among Protestants is very, very rare, partly because of the fact that most Protestant churches require as a condition of membership that one check one's sense of humour at the church door.  In Trotter's case, however, the illness seems particular advanced and extreme, involving serious delusions of grandeur.  Most observers of American religion would understand that it is simply impossible to parody the various manifestations of evangelical Protestantism in the USA, given the fact that all strands of the movement take themselves with unbearable seriousness, particularly at those points where they are most absurd.  Take, for example, the recent post on foeto-communion, which was meant to be a spoof (though in rather bad taste, I would say).  This position has, apparently, already been articulated by some within the movement itself and thus no normal, modest comedian would have dared to attempt such a crass attempt at satire.'

Please pray for our brother Rodney; his condition is not serious -- and therein lies the grave nature of his illness.