The Diocesan store removed the in-store books and the website link immediately.
Folks, they don't read everything they carry. They read the blurbs, look at the cover, note the publisher and assume it's OK. In other words, they act in ignorance, not in malice.
Most of the time.
(I am NOT referring to Paulist, because they knew EXACTLY what they were doing. They need the CDF to whip their sorry asterisks.)
Speak up. People respond.
Most of the time.
Sound advise. Almost everyday in our culture we encounter troubling things and we typically remain quiet out of politeness, respect for others’ privacy or simple fatigue. But there are times when we must be prepared to “offend” in the interests of what is right. Perhaps this was one of those instances, as Saint Mary’s may have unittingly led an innocent soul astray due to a simple oversight.
At the time, I was unaware that OSM is operated by the Paulists. Now that I know the truth, I am glad that I didn’t make an issue of it. The Paulists know precisely who Colm Toibin is and what the contents of the book are and would have been delighted if some backward Traditionalist had objected to it. They delight in being shocking.
As an aside, a Paulist priest from the local university (Ohio State) Neuman Center filled in for our ailing Pastor two weeks ago. When I presented myself for Communion with open mouth and hands folded he hissed at me to “stick out your tongue” with all the venom he could must under the circumstances, which was plenty. The incident really was upsetting.