Who is The Publican of Philly?

A Philadelphia friend and reader of this blog sends along news about what sounds like a terrific Philly-based Catholic publication, The Publican of Philadelphia. Here's what it's about, and how editor Matthew Chominski decided to start the publication after being so alarmed and depressed over the quality of politics and political debate in last fall's election:

Such an experience led me to believe that some small contribution could be made in the realm of the local Catholic culture, and thereby the culture at large; a contribution that may counter some of the corrosive qualities now so symptomatic of our time and place. Perhaps the following questions could be continually considered by The Publican: How does the wealth of beauty in art, literature and philosophy born of the womb of the Church come to bear on our time, in our place? And as the political tremors of last year diminish in force, what symptoms that were made manifest then and those now being noticed can be addressed by the Catholic experience of reality? And how can this address be made in a good and proper fashion?

Fortunately one far humbler, and therefore far greater, than I has recognized such a challenge and its accompanying opportunity. During his apostolic visit to our country Pope Benedict stated:

The challenges confronting us require a comprehensive and sound instruction in the truths of the faith. But they also call for cultivating a mindset, an intellectual 'culture', which is genuinely Catholic, confident in the profound harmony of faith and reason and prepared to bring the richness of faith's vision to bear on the urgent issues which affect the future of American society.

Chominski lays out his vision for the magazine, saying it needs to be a conversation about truth, beauty, goodness and our common culture as it is lived in and around Philadelphia. So, localism is his sine qua non. I really like that; it's a way of building real community among writers and residents living in a particular place. Why can't there be a Publican of Kansas City, a Publican of Dallas, a Publican of Denver, a Publican of Portland ... ? Anyway, here's the link to the Publican's blog. Good luck to this magazine and its crew.