AMIDST ALL THE finery and ritual of the papal conclave, there is one quiet, honest campaign that can not be ignored. The campaign to make Father Dougal McGuire the next representative of God on Earth.

facebook.com/FatherDougalForPope

A Facebook page for the campaign now has more than 17,000 likes and should you wish to proclaim your loyalty you can buy a t-shirt for just $11.

teespring.com/dougalforpope

Some particularly dedicated Dougal supporters have even made the journey to the Vatican to make their feelings known.

facebook.com/FiftyShadesOfTay

According to Digital Spy, Dougal himself has backed the campaign, saying, “This is great! Obviously very excited. Had no idea I was in the running to be honest.”

We were shocked to hear from him after such a prolonged period of silence, but then Father Ted creator Graham Linehan suggested there may be an ulterior motive.

Twitter/Glinner

Whatever the motive, we say best of luck to him. In the words of Dougal himself, “How hard can it be?”