Sunday before last, the priest at my church here in Washington apologized to the congregation for the dreadful public relations job the Archdiocese had done in dealing with the impending fight over the same-sex marriage bill and its requirement that the Church provide same-sex partner benefits. Indeed, the Church was getting rolled in the press, and in speaking to reporters covering the story, it was clear that even after four or five days of covering the story, they were not clear about what precisely concerned the Church. I had a neighbor call me one morning after reading a front page story in the Washington Post that suggested the Church was closing down Catholic Charities. She was confused and distraught and deeply shaken in her confidence in the Church.Check out the rest.
In my dealings with the press, almost all of whom are really bright people, it is always worthwhile to take your time and make sure that you explain how differently the Church approaches some issues from the way the mainstream culture approaches those same issues, that it is not mere disagreement about outcomes, although there is that, but more often a completely different point of departure for analysis and understanding. In explaining the Church to politicians, one of the things I find you have to say over and over again is "Yes, but you know they are bishops not politicians." (The reverse is true, too: Sometimes I have to say to clergy: "Well, you know they are politicians not theologians.") For too long, bishops wanted nothing more from a communications director than to keep the Church out of the news, but those days are gone. We need the media if we are to reach our people and spread the Gospel. We need the media if we are going to reframe the national debate on an important issue like health care reform or abortion. In my experience, the media are fascinated by the Church and eager to learn how and why the Church does what it does. I have encountered ignorance of the Church's ways but never hostility. Bishops should draw the right lesson from their recent fiascos: Get it right, but don't think it can't be done well.
As I've said before, the Catholic Church is terrible when it comes to the rudimentary work of public relations and communications strategy. (Exhibit A: the debacle over the SSPX and Bishop Williamson.) Will we ever get it right?
A good test is looming on the horizon, with the rollout of the new missal translation in the next several months.
Stay tuned.
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Chris Matthews was and is a blathering fool. "Practicing Catholic"? Please! The only reason he could be a practicing Catholic is because he obviously has a coward for a bishop in his diocese. No one who shows such ignorance and disdain for the teachings of our church should be viewed in any shape, manner or form as a spokesperson for same! The same is true for that shining beacon of catechetical ignorance Nancy Pelosi. Lets just coin a new acronym - CINO (Catholic in name only)!
Dave: in my mind, being hostile to the Church is not necessarily the same as being anti-Catholic. While the latter certainly includes the former, the former doesn't necessarily include the latter. There are many in the Church, many even who still practice the faith and would never think of leaving, who are hostile to the Church for any number of reasons. Matthews' behavior toward Bp. Tobin was certainly hostile, regardless of the strength or weakness of either of their arguments. It was obvious that Matthews was disgusted with Bp. Tobin, and that he has a very different template from which he considers the relationship between the Church and the state than has Bp. Tobin. For Matthews, Rep. Kennedy being a politician somehow exempts him from any spiritual guidance to be offered by his bishop on any matter that is in any way political, which abortion certainly is (though not only, which is, of course, what justifies Bp. Tobin's rebuke of Rep. Kennedy as a pastor to a member of his flock). For Matthews, politics trumps any obligation a bishop might have toward the salvation of a Catholic politician's soul.
Your Name: CINO is not a new acronym for "Catholic in name only." It's been around for a while. If you ask me, it's been around too long and is thrown around too often.
To all with the modern "Meism" of their beliefs and attempt to attached to their faith or Church teachings. May God have mercy on your souls. I have friends who are reporters and they say many are liberal expounders of their beliefs and wish to force it upon the Catholic church. Sorry, but Bishop Sheen used the term even in the 50's of fair weather Catholics. They use their Catholicism only to get votes and then forget about the teachings of the Church on Faith and Morals. I listen and then reread what Bishop Tobin said to Mr. Kennedy and it was not what Mr. Kennedy expoused to the press. The majority of the press is eager to print anything that they feel that will take down the Church. As one reporter friend told me because it sells newspapers. So, do they have a bias, yes, they do. He said many of his fellow reporters would do anything to take down the Church, even so called Catholics reporters if it doesn't folow their beliefs.
Tried to find a way to get this information posted concerning the mis-informed comments of Governor Kaine on WTOP re: DC Council bill to approve same sex marriage. No way to do it so it is quoted here:
Recently the Archdiocese of Washington sent an alert that the District of Columbia City Council was nearing a vote on legalizing same sex marriage in the District of Columbia. That bill (18-482) is set for a vote in the full Council on December 1, 2009. It will require a second vote before it can be enacted, possibly before the end of December. The Archdiocese continues to oppose the bill and efforts to redefine marriage. However, because this bill has 10 co-sponsors in a 13-member Council, it is likely to pass. Our efforts therefore have focused on finding a balanced solution.
Why Our Concerns Remain
As the United States bishops recently stated, the legal recognition of same sex marriages “affects all people, married and non-married: not only at the fundamental levels of the good of the spouses, the good of children, the intrinsic dignity of every human person, and the common good, but also at the levels of education, cultural imagination and influence, and religious freedom.”
Religious freedom is at the heart of our debate and it is the very principle we defend when we urge the Council to include an exemption for religious organizations in this bill.
Why Our Concerns are Reasonable
In every state where same sex marriage has been legalized through the legislature, the final bills have made room for the free exercise of religion. As the scope of the legal debate surrounding same sex unions has evolved from one previously limited to domestic partnerships to one addressing same sex marriage, the need for protecting religious liberty has become even more pressing. Laws enacted in other states in the last few months have shown that it is possible to address such interests while preserving religious freedoms. Particularly in the District of Columbia, where protective federal statutes come into play, this balanced approach must be used as a guide to developing fair provisions for this bill.
Committed to Finding a Balance
The Archdiocese has sought to work with the Council to craft a bill that more fairly balances the interests of all involved. Representatives of the Archdiocese have continued to reach out to council members to explain why a meaningful religious exemption must be included in the bill. The Archbishop has written, publicly and privately, to urge the Council to amend this bill in a way that protects all interests involved, in particular, those of the most vulnerable.
Focused on the Facts
Sadly, much of the public discussion has been presented in the framework of words like “ultimatums” and “threats” supposedly made by the Archdiocese of Washington or Catholic Charities, even though this is not true. The Archdiocese recognizes the Council intends to legalize same sex marriage. All we have asked for is an opportunity to work with the Council to fashion legislation that makes room for everyone so we can all continue to work for the good of this community.
Committed to Serve
The Archdiocese of Washington and our agencies, including Catholic Charities, will continue to serve those in need without regard to race, gender, creed, nationality and sexual orientation, as we have for over 80 years, with the resources available to us. If governmental restrictions diminish those resources, we will look for other ways to replace them. A properly crafted religious exemption would help to protect ministries that serve the residents of this city. The Archdiocese and the Council should be able to work together to fashion a solution that achieves the best possible results for the people of the District of Columbia.
Why an Exemption Is a Workable Solution
The Church cannot abandon its beliefs about the nature and meaning of marriage. It can, instead, offer respect for other peoples’ views, yet reasonably request that all religious interests be protected. The Archdiocese is committed to a dignified debate in the public square, and encourages mutual respect for all persons participating in this dialogue. Because a reasonable accommodation on this issue seems possible, the Archdiocese believes both sides should mutually agree to work towards it.
For more information, visit www.MarriageMattersDC.org.
Gee Bob, way to pick apart with nuance, and miss your name's main point that all too often the public face of the church is some idiot like Princess Pelosi, or until recently - Dead Ted (that's Kennedy) for any lib out there who didn't get that. Stop missing the facts by spending your time being too smart by half!
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