Catholic Truth Keeping the Faith. Telling the Truth. Free www.catholictruthscotland.com Catholic Truth is completely free. Funded by voluntary donations. Inside: Conference… Ecumenism… Alcoholism… Cardinal Pell… Ireland… Soho Masses frustrating and, unfortunately, an unsuccessful endeavour. But Francis Should Blogs Be Banned? de Sales did not consider giving up. After his father had learned of an Editor TV, radio and internet are not evil per attempt on his life, he wanted to bring se. They are instruments to be used I’m frequently told his son back to Annecy immediately. and I find it odd that Catholics who Francis refused. Completely alone, he that the internet is lament the evil use to which these evil, that television suffered a bitter winter in the French instruments are so often put, Alps. Daily he left his shelter in the is evil, that it’s much nevertheless discourage employing better to spend time castle of Allinges to talk with the them for a good end. Doesn’t make people of Thonon and to convince praying than to listen to sense. Blogging, in particular, is often the radio. God, this school of thought them of the truth of the Catholic Faith. singled out to be denounced. Despite Yet all his efforts met with no success, rightly holds, requires silence in order the spread of blasphemies and to fill the soul. since the majority of the people heresies across the internet, too many hesitated to listen to him speak, let Now, it goes without saying that we Catholics do not see the need to alone listen to him preach. must pray and spend time in silent combat these “principalities and o the idea came to him to use the meditation/reflection on the life of Our powers” by fighting fire with fire, so to S Lord, the examples of Our Lady and speak. newly invented printing press and the popular medium of pamphlets to his the saints, the virtues and how to akes me wonder what St Francis de M own purposes. If people will not come cultivate them, etc. The reason for our Sales, patron saint of journalists and prayer and silence, however, is not to to my sermons, thought Francis, then writers would think of it all. Would he I have to bring my sermons to the help us to avoid the world, but it is - on blog, were he alive today? Well, let’s the contrary - to help us to prepare for people. The pamphlets helped him do see. He lived at the height of the that. spiritual combat with the world. Reformation. A 27 year old priest, he Monks and nuns in contemplative found himself “banned” by the local Well? Alive today, at a time of monasteries are not hiding from the politicians who warned that any widespread apostasy from the Faith, outside world, locked in private prayer citizens who listened to his preaching would St Francis de Sales participate for the good of their own souls: they in the cathedral at Geneva would be in blogs, where contributors write their are praying and working to win grace sternly punished. This method of comments about various topics and not only for themselves, but for those intimidation achieved its goal, for only seek to enlighten, enrich or correct of us in the world, engaged in the a handful attended the sermons of one another’s comments? spiritual warfare for which St Paul Francis de Sales. Continued on p.2 seeks to prepare us when he advises: Having only recently been ordained a “Put you on the armour of God, that priest, Francis de Sales had declared Mere silence is you may be able to stand against the quite openly in the summer of 1594 his not wisdom, for deceits of the devil. For our wrestling preparedness to go into any part of the wisdom consists is not against flesh and blood; but diocese of Geneva-Annecy, which was against principalities and powers, in knowing when controlled at the time by the Calvinists. and how to against the rulers of the world of this His mission was to win back to the darkness, against the spirits of Catholic faith the people living there. speak and when wickedness in the high places. Not only was it a dangerous mission, and where to Therefore, take unto you, the armour during which on at least four occasions keep silent. of God that you may be able to resist he would barely escape an attempt on in the evil day and to stand in all things his life, but it was also the beginning of (The Spirit of St. François de Sales, XX 2) perfect.” (Ephesians 6:12-14) what turned out to be an extremely 1 That is what St Francis Contents include… Page de Sales did in the 16th century and it’s what I believe he would do From Alcoholic To Sainthood - The Story of Matt Talbot now, in the 21st Internet 4 century. One of our younger Archbishop Müller Chose Wrong Target… Michael Baker 6 readers recently warmly praised our blog: in particular, she said, the St Andrew: An Ecumenical Saint practice of using pseudonyms, an Peter Mackin 7 accepted convention of blogging, encourages those who haven’t been Letters 8 adequately taught the Faith to ask questions anonymously. She added A Fly On The Westminster Wall 9 that she also finds visits to our blog Thinking Through Catholic Truth 10 edifying because she has witnessed virtue at work: bloggers apologise for Religious Liberty - Demoting Christ… having used harsh words about Paul Kokoski 12 another. Others say “thanks” when a theological error is corrected, glad that From Vatican II To The New Evangelization the teaching of the Church is being Cardinal George Pell 15 accurately reported. It is the evidence of virtues like humility and charity, this Dumb & Dumber 19 young visitor to our site remarked, that Editorial 20 singles our blog out from others, and makes it a truly Catholic blog. Warm praise indeed. But nothing’s perfect, and I’m well aware, as Should Blogs Be Banned? Continued from p.1 o administrator, that I could do more to secure our blog’s good reputation by speedily deleting unpleasant personal So, what do you reckon: would St Pilgrimages can be a mixture of sin remarks about individuals. I’ve been a Francis de Sales have blogged or not? and sanctity, with even marital bit careless on this score, sometimes The clue is perhaps found in his ready betrayals sparked, for example during missing unkind remarks on busy embrace of the new technology of his pilgrimages to Lourdes. Yet we don’t threads, so more vigilance ranks at the time: printing presses. He wouldn’t hear anyone calling for a ban on top of my new year resolutions in 2013. know, I presume, that printing presses pilgrimages. The blame for bad Our basic rule is that we may discuss would one day be used to spread bad literature has to be laid firmly at the issues robustly, but without making literature, just as the internet is used feet of the authors of bad books. personal remarks about individuals. to spread porn: but does anyone Responsibility for marital infidelity rests Those in public office must expect seriously think that, aware of the evil with the unfaithful spouses and their necessary public criticism, but that is to which printing presses might partners in sin. Likewise, the blame for different from being on the receiving ultimately lead, St Francis would have uncharitable comments, whether in end of uncharitable personal remarks. thus refused to put them to good use? human speech or internet speech As for St Francis de Sales: of course The problem with blogging is akin to (blogging) must be placed on the he’d blog and that on the Catholic the problem with any other shoulders (or tongues!) of the Truth site - where else? conversation: the danger of lack of individuals concerned. “Blogging” is charity. Just as a thoughtless spoken not an evil per se. It can be evil. It can Blogging, then, should not be banned. word can be hurtful to another, so a also be a great good. Instead of It can be an excellent way to grow blog post written in anger can be wasting time and energy attacking more knowledgeable in the Faith and uncharitable. But, that’s not the fault of straw men, we ought to concentrate to help spread it. Sign up today! the blog, any more than printing our efforts on turning everything in our possession to the greater glory to God. presses can be blamed for bad books. I would very much like to contribute to this blog. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate finding such authentic Catholic views expounded so eloquently. I recognise one name – “Athanasius” who is a The Holy Father can’t speak to you right now, contributor here. I don’t know him personally, but Mr Salmond. he’s doing an online search to have always been impressed by his knowledge and answer a question on the Catholic Truth blog. ability to express the truths of the Faith in such an He doesn’t think independence will work but authoritative and humane manner. It’s a pleasure if you list your reasons on the CT blog he’ll to discover here that this is not such a singular answer you there, later. Cool, eh? quality. After so many years, during the latter of which I have lost heart, you have enthused me; it is so very easy to become cynical.