Posts

Showing posts with the label media

Warming up for a heresy trial

Image
Now this could be fun. Mgr Basil Loftus, who writes a weekly column for the Catholic Times, has threatened to sue Fr Ray Blake for "suggesting that he is a heretic" if various comments are not removed from his blog within seven days. Fr Blake is standing firm by the principle of free speech for his commenters and says that he relishes the thought of a trial in a British court for heresy. (See: British Heresy Trial ~ Coming Soon! ) My guess is that the public gallery will be full. UPDATE : it seems that Fr Mildew has been threatened as well.
Read more

News of the World calls Benedict "People's Pope"

Image
The other day, I mentioned the Sun's positive coverage of the papal visit. In England, the largest circulation Sunday paper is the News of the World ("Whose life can we ruin today?") As with the Sun, it is far more widely read than the broadsheets and has a significant impact on public opinion. In today's edition, the subs came up with the headline " Bene's from heaven " and the strapline "People's Pope leaves Britain with a smile on its face". In the run-up to the visit, there were many occasions when I had to respond quietly and patiently to clergy who solemnly told me that Pope Benedict did not have much appeal to ordinary people. So it is hugely gratifying to see the News of the World characterise him as the "People's Pope".
Read more

Links to follow Papal Visit

I am off up to town shortly and will be there overnight so I want to have a handy list of links to access on my laptop. I know I could use social bookmarking, have my desktop in the cloud or whatever, but plonking them in a post here is a quick way to do it. Besides, it might be helpful to some of you. These are the tabs I am currently keeping open: Papal Visit live webcast Backup of same Papal Visit timeline Catholic Herald live blog Protect the Pope Catholic Voices Media Monitor Telegraph live blog Guardian live blog Following @catholicherald on Twitter is a must.
Read more

The Sun now joining the party

Image
On the blogs we tend to quote articles from the broadsheets. In fact, the Guardian has a circulation of just over 300,000 while the Sun has a circulation of 3 million - the largest of our newspapers. It is not a paper that I think should be in any Catholic home since one of its flagship features is "Page 3", a daily picture of a woman showing off her breasts. Nevertheless, anyone interested in popular opinion needs to take note of the line taken by the Sun. Notoriously, the paper can make or break politicians at election time. It is therefore encouraging to see the coverage of the Papal Visit in the Sun today. The summary article has a characteristic headline " Her Maj has tea as Pope sticks to Pop " noting the Holy Father's preference for Fanta which I mentioned a couple of years ago, winning some really bizarre media coverage . That's just the hook, though. The article goes on to speak warmly of the visit, dutifully mentioning the various controvers...
Read more

Comment on media coverage - and congratulations to "Bones"

It is not a very enjoyable task to trawl through the media and comment on the mean-minded coverage that too often manifests itself. Thanks therefore to Gregory in the combox for doing this little job for me in his comment on last night's summary post: Yes, an absolute success so far. Big plus especially to Sky News (credit where due and all that...maybe that Papal Knight to Rupert was well considered after all!) for its rolling, generally balanced, coverage - especially from Colin Brazier and Anna Botting. Big minus to the Guardian's front page today which, even for it, has plumbed new depths of bile. I must say, as wizened as I am to the Grauniad's nasty antics it even surprised me. Quite the most unctuous headline (no-one does unctuousness - a criticism often aimed at the Church - better than scorned atheists). Still, I suppose it's a measure of how successful Scotland was yesterday that all that was left for the Groaniad was to spill poison wherever, however it ...
Read more

Catholicism "you can kind of pick and choose" - or not

Image
On the feast of the Assumption, Mark Dowd came to Blackfen with producer, Helen Grady to record our Mass at Blackfen and talk to some parishioners in the Social Club afterwards. I had a session with them some days later, talking particularly about the Mass and about Pope Benedict. This was all in preparation for the programme " The Pope's British Divisions " which was broadcast on Radio 4 this morning (it is available on iPlayer for a few days). I was at the seminary at Wonersh for a "Staff Review and Planning Day" and, unusually, found myself listening to the radio after breakfast. Naturally, only a small portion of the recorded material was actually used in the programme; it is part of the art of producing such a piece that a judicious selection is made. As any producer would expect, I would have one or two quibbles but from a media point of view, it is fascinating to see how much work is put into such projects. There were pieces from Pluscarden, Aberdeen,...
Read more

Vatican Briefing next Friday on UK Papal Visit

Image
In the Vatican Bollettino today there is an announcement that next Friday 10 September, Fr Lomardi will give a briefing: "to illustrate the programme of the Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom no the occasion of the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman (16-19 September 2010)" The briefing will take place at 11.30am (10.30am UK time.)
Read more

Fr Wang on women and the priesthood

Image
Fr Stephen Wang, a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster who is the Dean of Studies at Allen Hall Seminary, and blogs at Bridges and Tangents , has written a good piece about Women and the Priesthood . This is a difficult subject to write on because although the teaching of the Church is clear, the widespread confusion in our society over gender is a relatively recent phenomenon and reflection on the underlying reason for Christ's ordaining only men is in its infancy. Therefore I think that Fr Wang has done the right thing in making it clear that Pope John Paul said that he did not have the authority to change this teaching, and to address straightforwardly the question of "cultural conditioning" which is one of the most popular arguments against Catholic teaching. For Catholics, it is also important to understand also that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a response concerning the status of this teaching. Since the text is not at the Vatican web...
Read more

Being followed by the Foreign Office

Image
When I led the 99 names of Allah Prayer Vigil at Westminster, it was noticeable that across the Piazza some sharp-suited types were discreetly taking photographs so I flattered myself that I had made it into a file somewhere at MI5. It was nice to find out today that I am being followed on Twitter by @foreignoffice . This is probably because they gave me press accreditation for the Papal Visit - a kind gesture of the FCO who considered that some Catholic bloggers ought to be included as well as " bona fide media organisations." Mind you, they are following nearly 15,000 other people which goes to show that HMG is not slow in adopting new technology. All of which means that if our spooks at some time in the future become engaged in implementing a restoration of the former Government policy of hunting down priests, I probably won't be in with much of a chance. This reminds me of a conversation reported to me by a fellow seminarian many years ago, during the "Milit...
Read more

Attacco a Ratzinger

Image
Two respected Vaticanisti, Paolo Rodari and Andrea Tornielli, have written a book analysing the various occasions during Pope Benedict's papacy when he has been subjected to fierce attack in the media: Attacco a Ratzinger: Accuse e scandali, profezie e complotti ("Attack on Ratzinger: Accusations and Scandals, Prophecies and Plots"). There is a lengthy review (in Italian) by Massimo Introvigne: I tre nemici del Papa (The three enemies of the Pope). I was reading this when a tweet came up with a link to an even longer review by John Allen: 'Attack on Ratzinger': Italian book assesses Benedict's papacy . In addition to the main lines of the various stories which most Catholic blog readers will be familiar with, Attacco a Ratzinger has much material that has hitherto not been published. This is a valuable contribution since, as we know, the Italian Vaticanisti have proved time and again that they do have access to reliable inside information. John Allen qu...
Read more

FLI media training for youngsters

Image
Family Life International had a training day for young people in London recently, in which teenagers and young adults were put through a grilling on Catholic issues by an experienced Catholic media expert acting as "devil's advocate", posing as someone in favour of abortion, condom distribution and so on. The interviews were followed by analysis and instruction on better arguments and techniques to use. This is a great idea and it is wonderful to hear that some of our good Catholics are preparing for battle while still young. Two teenagers from my parish took part and wrote to me to say how helpful and enjoyable the day was. They are keen to do more so that they can build up their confidence. BTW One of them got his GCSE results today and did very well so send up a prayer of thanksgiving. God has obviously forgiven him for those terrible socks .
Read more

A little less "stupido" would be good

Image
Elizabeth Scalia, "The Anchoress", over at First Things is planning a trip to Rome to do some loud pounding on desks while yelling "Stupido! STUPIDO!" This is in view of the obvious public relations disaster that was the announcement of new norms for dealing with priests who commit crimes against minors, and various other delicts such as, well, the attempted ordination of women. (See: The Vatican’s Epic Fail – UPDATE ) This is much along the same lines as Damian Thompson's post of last week. For an alternative view of the announcement, read Fr John Boyle's expert analysis and for a solidly neutral assessment, there is John Allen . For what it is worth, my own position would be nearer to that of Elizabeth Scalia and Damian Thompson. (The Catholic Herald also has a good article on the matter this week.) The Holy See should consider the public impact of its statements, taking into account the fact that many journalists, and not only those hard-wired t...
Read more

Herald has a new website

Image
The Catholic Herald, Britain's leading Catholic newspaper, has a newly designed website with easy access to all the important articles. The Herald also has a Facebook page so if you use FB, you might like to go over there and click "Like".
Read more

On Fr Z's podcast

Image
This afternoon I had a long skype call with Fr Z of What Does the Prayer Really Say . It was good to catch up with some news and discuss the various recent appointments announced by the Holy See. Fr Z then set up an interview with me for his latest Podcazt 107 focussing on silence in the Liturgy . Here is the link to the podcast .
Read more

Journalist "Lolo" to be beatified

Image
This Saturday at Linares in Spain, Manuel Lozano Garrido, ("Lolo") will be beatified by Archbishop Angelo Amato. Garrido (1920-1971) was a journalist who wrote for various media, including Associated Press. He also wrote nine spiritual books. The Spanish site for Lolo's beatification has an English translation of a short biography . At the age of 22 Garrido contracted spondylitis which confined him to a wheelchair. He continued writing while he physically could, and then dictated articles. He was blind for the last nine years of his life. At one point, while he still had some use of his fingers, he was given a typewriter. The first words he wrote with it were: "My Lord, thank You. The first word, Your Name, may it always be the strength and soul of this machine ...May Your light and clearness be the mind and heart of all that type on it, so that everything written may be noble, fair and promising.” He started up "Sinai" groups which consisted of twelve ...
Read more

Marie Stopes Abortion ads planned to start Monday

Image
The abortion provider, Marie Stopes organisation has arranged for abortion adverts to appear on TV Channel 4 on Monday 24th May at 10.10pm and throughout June. There is some good information about possible legal challenges to this advertisement at John Smeaton's post: Abortion advertisement move is deplorable . To make an objection to the Government, you should write to the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP. The email address is enquiries@culture.gsi.gov.uk From John's post, here are some points you could make: Abortion is in English law a criminal offence. Advertising of a criminal offence is not permitted. European law also prohibits the advertising of restricted (i.e. on prescription) medical procedures, such as abortion. [cf. the Audio-Visual Media Regulations 2010, preamble, 89] The Broadcasting Act 1990 requires that advertising is not offensive or harmful. Abortion is offensive to the countless women damaged by abort...
Read more

How very BBC

Image
An internal BBC email sent to me today. The BBC are hosting a staff discussion on Christianity. Who do they get to do it? A history professor and campaigner for gay rights who describes his own current religious position as that of an agnostic or atheist with a background in Anglicanism, and a Muslim academic who writes for the Tablet. As my correspondent comments, "How very BBC." From:  Internal Communications Scotland Sent:  14 May 2010 09:32 Subject:  A Conversation with Diarmaid MacCulloch: Pacific Quay, Monday 17 May, 5.45PM - 7.15PM A Conversation with Diarmaid MacCulloch: Pacific Quay, Monday 17 May, 5.45PM - 7.15PM On Monday (17th May) we will be marking the 80th anniversary of our Scottish Religious Advisory Committee (SRAC) with an event on the 3rd Floor of Pacific Quay. Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, world renowned Oxford University historian and presenter of the BBC Four series  A History of Christianity , will be in conversation with SRAC ...
Read more

Communications Day sermon

Image
On Tuesday at Allen Hall, there was a Mass and reception to mark World Communications Day. Archbishop Nichols gave the main lecture on the theme of Why Media Matters . The preacher at Mass was Fr Stephen Wang. I though his sermon was very good, drawing a lesson from the example of the publication of St Edmund Campion's Ten Reasons . Fr Wang blogs at Bridges and Tangents .
Read more

Today's FCO Papal Visit news

Image
On Sunday, the Telegraph broke the news of the FCO's " error of judgement " memo insulting the Pope. Yesterday, it was revealed that the junior official who circulated the document was Stephen Mulvain and we got to see the " Stakeholder Positioning Chart ". Today's news is that the more senior official who authorised the sending of the memo was Anjoum Noorani ( right ). I wonder what tomorrow will bring? It is comforting in a way, to see that the FCO is challenging the Vatican Press Office in incompetence at news management. To be fair, it should be said that the Sala Stampa is improving rapidly: this would probably be called a "learning curve" over at King Charles Street. For details on today's development, see the following articles: Daily Telegraph: Diplomat disciplined over Pope memo is named Daily Mail: Revealed, the papal visit chief who wrote memo mocking Pope Noorani's role is "Head of the Papal Visit Team" which...
Read more

Not persecution... yet

Image
Fr Z comments on the "unhinged hate speech" found in an article on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation website. A tale of two battles is filled with the now customary collection of splenetic and spurious allegations against the Holy Father. However, Bob Ellis goes further than most. He thinks that the Catholic Church should be outlawed, that the Pope is a "criminal mastermind", that the same tactics as have been applied in Afghanistan should be applied to the Catholic Church, and that we should "bomb the Vatican, and (going well beyond any current rules of engagement in Afghanistan) riddle the Pope with bullets as he staggers out of the flames." I agree with those commentators who say "Hold on!" when there is talk of persecution. Having nasty articles written in the papers in not pleasant but it is not quite the same as having your limbs torn apart on the rack, being roasted on a gridiron, being eaten by lions, hanged drawn and quartere...
Read more

Popular posts from this blog

Bernini's elephant Inscription

Image
Here's the elephant. (That's the Pantheon in the background.) And here is the inscription: It reads: SAPIENTIS AEGYPTI INSCULPTAS OBELISCO FIGURAS AB ELEPHANTO BELLUARUM FORTISSIMA GESTARI QUISQUIS HIC VIDES DOCUMENTUM INTELLIGE ROBUSTAE MENTIS ESSE SOLIDAM SAPIENTIAM SUSTINERE Which is to say "Whoever sees here that the symbols of the Egyptian sage, inscribed on the obelisk, are carried by the elephant, the strongest of the beasts: understand that it is a proof of a robust mind to sustain solid wisdom." I first read this inscription on a tour of the twelve obelisks of Rome, led by the incomparable Fr Reginald ("Reggie") Foster. He was the best teacher of anything that I ever knew and I always try to call in at the beginning of his class. 25 years on, he teaches at the same time, in the same room, with the same dry sense of humour and the same passionate love of Latin. The obelisk is outside the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva where St Catherine of Sien...
Read more

Hippolytus and Eucharistic Prayer II

Image
When I was a student in Rome, I remember going with a priest for Mass in one of the ancient Churches. The priest said that he was going to use Eucharistic Prayer II because it was the most ancient of all the prayers and was specifically Roman, composed by Hippolytus. This was the standard view at that time (early 1980s) but has since been called into question. A number of people have recently mentioned the matter to me and so here are a few notes for you. In the 19th century, a number of ancient texts were discovered that were similar to the "Apostolic Constitutions", (of which the first modern edition was published in 1563). Among these texts was a document which came to be referred to as the “Egyptian Church Order”. In addition, the Canons of Hippolytus and the Testamentum Domini were discovered. The scholarly consensus in the early 20th century on the dependence of these documents was that the “Egyptian Church Order” was in fact the "Apostolic Tradition" of Hipp...
Read more

How to make an act of perfect contrition

Image
How can you go from imperfect to perfect contrition? Gabriella D from Australia asked me this on Twitter today and I want to give an answer because I think that many people misunderstand what we mean when we talk about “perfect contrition.” Perfect contrition is sorrow and detestation of sin arising out of the love of God. One way of exciting this contrition in our hearts is by considering the passion of Jesus Christ and making acts of love for Him. We can also think of the infinite love which God has for us, and express sorrow in our heart in the presence of this great love which we have offended. Imperfect contrition is sorrow and detestation for sin arising from a consideration of the ugliness of sin or out of the fear of hell. Disgust at the ugliness of sin is more common today than fear of hell. That is because we do not preach enough, or with sufficient conviction about the four last things. If a person commits an act of impurity, for example, perhaps by deliberately ...
Read more

CD 275: Paying cash for work done

A handyman who does work for me prefers for me to pay him in cash. Am I committing a sin if I agree to do so? It is fascinating to see how virtually the whole country has become engaged in the intricacies of moral debate on this issue, including the complex question of material or formal co-operation in evil. The broad consensus is correct according to Catholic moral teaching: there is absolutely nothing wrong in itself with paying somebody using cash, which is, after all, legal tender. However if we pay cash because of an explicit offer to reduce the cost of the work, and because this reduction is due to the evasion of income tax or VAT, then we are formally co-operating in evil, and committing a sin (probably a venial sin given the amount of tax normally involved.) If we simply have a suspicion that cash is requested in order to avoid tax, then we ought (within reason) to ask whether this is the case or not. The costs that small businesses incur with bank charges, credit card me...
Read more

1962 Missal pdf online

The Church Music Association of America and Jeffrey Tucker of the New Liturgical Movement have made available the 1962 Missal online in pdf format (72Mb). The file is hosted at Musica Sacra , the website of the CMAA, thanks to a generous gift from Fr Robert Skeris While you are at it, take a look at the articles clarifying the rules for music at Low Mass and music at High Mass .
Read more