A little trip down memory lane. Go here to see Mark Shea gloating over the axing of Maureen Mullarkey by First Things. Then we have Simcha Fisher’s reaction, go here to see Paul Zummo’s report on that tempest, to Hilary White reporting accurately on Pope Francis at Lifesite News. The wheel doesn’t always come round, but when it does it is hilarious.
In the ongoing blog tally, Fr Longnecker has weighed in now.
I try to never read Fr. Longnecker anymore, Nate, but thanks for the link. Interesting that his blog no longer allows any commenting on his articles. I guess he doesn’t want to hear anything from us.
This comment on the Hillary White controversy thread pretty much sums it up, and it’s sadly as pertinent today as it was two years ago:
“My sincere question for ALL Catholic bloggers lately, whether it be Simcha Fisher or this site or anyone in between, is why is Catholic media spending so much time focusing on the shortcomings of others? I wish to see more writing about the magnificence of Christ and his Church, and less about what Pope Francis/Michael Voris/the ‘nuns’ on the bus/’radical traditionalists’/Simcha Fisher/LifeSiteNews said or did this week. What on earth is gained by bringing up these hurtful words and boneheaded actions rather than letting them fade? I am young and naive, but from where I stand It seems as counter-productive as ripping open a scab. This site is by no means the only place I encounter this focus, but to see it here makes my heart hurt. I fear that blogs and Facebook threads are more and more frequently tearing chunks out of the Body of Christ just to feed them to the masses that live for online controversy. I would hate to ‘log off’, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to forgo Catholic media for a while to keep myself from getting sucked into arguments that cause a sinful curiosity in me. I challenge you gentlemen to avoid getting mired in this dangerous mentality. I enjoy reading and learning from you very much.”
Elaine, the issue is what mkfreeberg posted about once:
http://www.peekinthewell.net/blog/the-phony-apathy/
While this instance is not strictly political, it is related in that a lot of people are getting frustrated with tone policing as they notice it only seems to come up not when the right people are “punching” in the first place, but when the wrong people start punching back.
And let’s be honest, it takes a heart of stone when Mr. Banhappy ends up banned somewhere himself.
P.S. Next up in our ongoing commentary catalog.
Oops, found another.
And Eye of the Tiber apparently weighed in.
Maybe not every jot and tittle of blogosphere internecine shenanigans need be commented on, but much of the “debating” does center on the big issues – like whether a Catholic is obliged to vote for Hildebeast. Or when the Pope says cohabitation can be a more real marriage than a real marriage. When someone puts forth to defend such nonsense, they get the derision they deserve.
Nate, Eye of the Tiber. I find comedy can be used to speak truth to power. It can also be used to deflect just criticism and excuse the inexcusable.
I read the link to Fr. Longnecker’s article, and something he wrote deserves some attention.
-“…. there is a tendency for religious people to stone the prophets and throw the Jeremiahs among us down the well, and we should be aware of that tendency and listen closely to those who speak out and criticize our faults. If a prophet calls us to a reckoning we should listen and examine ourselves–not blame the prophet.”-
I’m sure there are those who think of Mark Shea as a “prophet” of sorts. However a true prophet, is has been said, serves to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted”. In his campaign against right-to lifers, at least those who vote in strict accord with non-negotiable principles in defense of life and marriage, it seems that Mr. Shea has forgotten who the afflicted truly are. They are the most helpless and innocent among us; those with no voice and not even the life-affirming love of a mother. Whatever else might be woven within the so-called “seamless garment” without unyielding advocacy for the poorest of the poor; the innocent and helpless unborn, the “garment” is nothing but a fancy looking rag. Further, those right-to-life activists and voters whom he so freely insults, hardly stand atop the power structure in our nation these days. In this morality play, who exactly are the “comfortable”? Certainly those at the top of our national political power structure who have cemented in place “rights” designed to destroy life and the family have never had it so good. Mark Shea’s words of encouragement to potential Hillary Clinton voters must be music to the ears of the politically well connected.
Perhaps Fr. Longnecker and others of like mind, should reconsider their ideas of what a true prophet of the times should look like.
“I wish to see more writing about the magnificence of Christ and his Church, and less about what Pope Francis/Michael Voris/the ‘nuns’ on the bus/’radical traditionalists’/Simcha Fisher/LifeSiteNews said or did this week… I fear that blogs and Facebook threads are more and more frequently tearing chunks out of the Body of Christ just to feed them to the masses that live for online controversy. ”
Perhaps I would disagree. I think what is going on now has been under the surface for many years. There is a terrible divide in the Church that the current pontificate has exposed by its actions. Or perhaps, the Holy Spirit is finally exposing it all. But such a divide will in fact bring out animosity. Christ himself taught this.
This was clear when I was in the diaconate program years back. There was clear dissent and outright heresy in the courses but it couldn’t be called such – at least you didn’t let the program director hear you. The Real Presence was denied, teaching on sexuality ridiculed and any effort at orthodoxy decried. Matters related to questions of social justice were presented in a one-sided fashion. Particular solutions to social problems were presented as clearly and definitively decided by the Church. Teaching was thus turned on its head
Add to this the fact that Shea ( I never followed Simcha) clearly set up Francis and the USCCB as idols. Prudential judgments of these (as well as more ambiguous and concerning positions taken by them) were swallowed whole. Any who dared point out that they were not morally binding pronouncements were damned. Just look at how far off he went on the matter of gun control.
No, this has been the reality of the Church for decades. Its caused such a stir because a particularly partisan member of the Catholic left (which Shea is a part of) has suffered as a consequence of his hubris. He was fired not because of his political opinions or foul language but because he has placed idols before the true God.
Now, many of his supporters point out, Shea has an acerbic and perhaps even “prophetic style.” Fine, so can we.
Whoa, what’s a Catholic blog doing talking about “karma” and posting a picture of a vampiress? Have you lapsed into syncretism or, God forbid, out right paganism? 🙂
Found out at last Elaine! 🙂
I have looked at Patheos today more than ever in my life. What a waste of time.
Supporting Shea, ripping Trump….might have been reading the Washington Compost.
Elaine Krewer,
Well said. Especially the analogy of “ripping open a scab”. It’s fascinating at first, as you tear it off, and then the blood begins to flow. Then you realize it probably wasn’t such a good idea. Do over?
This blog is one of the best. It’s one of four I still read. I’m almost completely blog free. Blogging can be spiritually unhealthy. Your solution: “I wish to see more writing about the magnificence of Christ and his Church”, is easily accomplished in the quiet space of a Holy Hour with Jesus. Do it! I encourage you: DO NOT get sucked into blog controversy. It is spiritually unhealthy.
I am down to four blogs, including this EXCELLENT blog, TAC. I am generally disillusioned with blogging and bloggers and the medium that produces it. It encourages divisiveness and anger;, not unity and Love. Your instincts are correct: when you write:
“…but I’m afraid I’m going to have to forgo Catholic media for a while to keep myself from getting sucked into arguments that cause a sinful curiosity in me.”
Blogging can indeed be unhealthy and potentially detrimental to our Faith.
Great comment on a controversial topic.
“The release of Mark and Simcha doesn’t have as much to do with their behavior as people, but with their behavior as writers. They’re both good writers…”
Oh, please! This is nothing but unadulterated balderdash. How can they “good writers” when the only tools they have to deal with opposing opinions are snark, verbal abuse and lying?
Shea and Fisher couldn’t use logic, reason or fact to argue their way out of a paper bag.
Second, their behavior is precisely the issue! Engaging in vile personal attacks, deliberately distorting arguments and making crocodile apologies when caught are not, shall we say, good Catholic behaviors. They’re anything but.
Shea and Fisher forgot that, as independent contractors, their behavior reflects their clients’ credibility. (So, apparently, has Longenecker; otherwise, he wouldn’t have made such a stupid statement). They represent their clients anytime they’re on the job in public — even (and especially) on social media, which is a prominent platform for writers to promote their work.
Longenecker’s comments reflect the kind of blind group loyalty that’s all too typical in human nature, let alone among Catholics. It replaces moral clarity as a compass.
Longenecker, Shea and Fisher also forgot some basic teachings from Scripture. You are known by your fruits. Your sin will find you out. God is not mocked.
Shea and Fisher were con artists, pure and simple. They conned a lot of sincere but naive and puerile Catholics with their nonsense. Well, the jig is now up, and none too soon.
The best thing that could come of this is that neither Shea nor Fisher ever write for another major Catholic outlet. Anybody who behaves in such an undisciplined manner would be a liability to any client — and automatically diminishes that client’s Catholic credibility and identity.
Maureen and Hilary are two of my very favorite bloggers because they have the guts to speak the truth about Pope Francis and what remains of the Catholic Church. Their motivation is to change the trajectory from the death spiral it is now in by using wake-up call language and logic. These ladies are our modern day Joan d’Arc’s and and Catherine of Siena’s. What they say is to be read, contemplated, and acted upon. Great progress would be make for recovery of faith in the Church if this were so.
We at the Banished By Mark Shea Facebook page are heartened by this event. We knew this day would come, but two get two firings of libelous nogoodnicks at the same time, priceless!
Michael, let me second your praise of Maureen (I don’t know Hilary nearly as well, so I can’t comment on her). I have been honored to call Maureen a friend for nearly 15 years. She is one of the most intelligent, perceptive people I have known and her writing is fantastic. Comparing her to Shea is like comparing Mickey Mantle (or Mike Trout) to a kid playing T-ball — and not very well, I might add. She, too, was fired but for telling a truth that her editors didn’t want to hear. That’s far, far different from the reasons for Shea’s firing. Maureen is an example of exemplary courage, unlike that lying coward, Shea.
Oh, please! This is nothing but unadulterated balderdash. How can they “good writers” when the only tools they have to deal with opposing opinions are snark, verbal abuse and lying?
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Agreed. Fr. Longenecker’s remarks is humbug. Mark Shea’s magazine articles aren’t bad. Or weren’t bad: Crisis hasn’t been issued in print in 9 years (and had the wind knocked out of it several years prior) and he hasn’t contributed columns to the web successor since 2011 (and occasionally insults them).
Spot on Dave!