Posted on 01/26/2013 7:11:01 AM PST by marshmallow
Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, Missouri, has confirmed that the National Catholic Reporter should not advertise itself as a “Catholic” publication.
In a column appearing in his diocesan newspaper, Bishop Finn notes that he, as the bishop of the diocese in which the Reporter is located, has the duty to “call the media to fidelity.” He cites the Code of Canon Law, which (in #1369) calls for “a just penalty” for anyone who “excites hatred of or contempt for religion or the Church.”
The National Catholic Reporter, Bishop Finn remarks, has taken an editorial stance that puts the publication at odds with the Church, by “officially condemning Church teaching on the ordination of women, insistent undermining of Church teaching on artificial contraception and sexual morality in general, lionizing dissident theologies while rejecting established Magisterial teaching, and a litany of other issues.” He reveals that he has received numerous complaints about the Reporter’s editorial policies.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicculture.org ...
Another attempt to destroy our society by breaking down our beliefs and standards.
Next you’ll tell me the Christian Science Monitor isn’t Christian. /snark
Nice start, but does the Press Office of the Holy See speak for the church?
Seems I recall some apologists attempting to make the claim that it does not, regarding a statement in support of recent gun restriction and control efforts by the Obama administration.
So, does the Press Office of the Holy See speak for the church, or not? If not, should it too cease being called Catholic?
It is the job of of the Press Office to release reports or other info from Vatican. If a member uses it to give their opinion on an issue, then it is just their opinion. The resent remark about guns was somewhat on the order of “it is good to limit violence”, which even the NRA would agree with.
So, Fr. Federico Lombardi, sj, Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, was merely offering personal opinion via his capacity as director of that office?
What, then, is the position of the church? Does Fr. Federico Lombardi speak in opposition to it? Or, does he speak in support of it?
Is he not under obedience?
Interesting surname for a Vatican spokesman, by the way, Lombardi, historically speaking.
Bishop Finn reminds his readers that in 1968 his predecessor, Bishop Charles Helmsing, directed the editors of the Reporter to remove the word “Catholic” from the title of their publication. The newspaper’s editors refused. Bishop Finn says: “From my perspective, NCR’s positions against authentic Church teaching and leadership have not changed trajectory in the intervening decades.”
The bishop discloses that soon after arriving in Kansas City, he sought to engage the Reporter editors in a discussion of their fidelity to the Catholic Church, but was rebuffed. “At other times, correspondence has seemed to reach a dead end,” he adds.
Bishop Finn concludes that “I have a responsibility as the local bishop to instruct the Faithful about the problematic nature of this media source which bears the name 'Catholic.'” He says that he remains willing to discuss the issue with the Reporter staff, but as things stand, “I find that my ability to influence the National Catholic Reporter toward fidelity to the Church seems limited to the supernatural level.”
I have never seen the Church take a position on ‘gun control’ for citizens. They would oppose the ‘gun violence’ by criminal elements. Fr. Federico Lombardi may have used incorrect wording in the statement and showed his feelings rather than any Church position. The report by Bishop Finn was re:Reporter posting opposition to moral and doctrine teaching of the Church.
True.
And not to be confused with the very good “National Catholic Register”.
There might be a legal way to neuter the NCR with the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), by catching it pirating copyrighted material produced by the church.
Granted, the word “Catholic” cannot be copyrighted, but the NCR uses a lot of copyrightable material to attack the church, that if copyrighted, overcomes most “fair use” provisions, since they are a for profit newspaper.
It is unlikely a settlement could shut them down, but it could require them to put a disclaimer on the top of their front page, that they are “Not authorized by the Catholic church, and are published as parody only.”
Where are the apologists arguing that this is just one bishop’s opinion and he doesn’t speak for the church? And the old throw away, something about the floor being paved with the skulls of bishops?
You wrote:
“So, does the Press Office of the Holy See speak for the church, or not?”
Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no.
“If not, should it too cease being called Catholic?”
Has it ever been called ‘Catholic’? I don’t think so.
You now have your answers. See how easy that was?
You wrote:
“Where are the apologists arguing that this is just one bishop’s opinion and he doesn’t speak for the church?”
1) This is the opinion of the last four bishops of that diocese.
2) He speaks for his particular church, and he is certainly, and undeniably, correct.
“And the old throw away, something about the floor being paved with the skulls of bishops?”
You seem to be babbling nonsensically. Why?
... and yet again the basic question at issue remains ignored and unanswered.
What question?
Or, is the statement issued by Fr. Federico Lombardi, Director of the Press Office of the Holy See reflective of the church as a whole?
Some claim he merely spoke his personal opinion in his capacity as Director of the Press Office of the Holy See.
I find it puzzling that there has been no attempt to correct any misperception, if Fr. Lombardi's statement is indeed at odds.
Does this help?
You wrote:
“The question would be: Does the Catholic Church support Obama administration efforts to restrict and control the Constitutional right of American citizens to bear arms?”
I see no evidence the Church either supports or opposes any such specific action on Obama’s part in regard to gun control. The Church will regard this as a prudential matter best solved within America.
“Or, is the statement issued by Fr. Federico Lombardi, Director of the Press Office of the Holy See reflective of the church as a whole?”
Your question doesn’t work. Some of what Lombardi said is true (e.g. opposing gun smuggling). Yet guns in America is a separate issue from anywhere else. Even when it comes to smuggling - the Church is all for it when it means getting guns to people who are oppressed and have no other choice but to take up arms.
“Some claim he merely spoke his personal opinion in his capacity as Director of the Press Office of the Holy See.”
I think he spoke his opinion based on his understanding of Church teaching.
“I find it puzzling that there has been no attempt to correct any misperception, if Fr. Lombardi’s statement is indeed at odds.”
Why would there be? The Church really doesn’t work to satisfy you - an anti-Catholic on the internet. Quite frankly, you will oppose the Church no matter what she teaches so why do you even care?
“Does this help?”
Not really. This seems to be more about you then anything else.
Still with the non-answers but notching it up to make it about me. Standard fare for the FR apologists and completely par for the course.
Thank you for the exposition, and have a good day.
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