A black eye for the online Catholic community

I spent two-hours this past weekend reviewing a variety of blog posts and comments related to the shocking ‘announcement’ by a well-known Catholic priest that he would be abandoning his Priestly ministry.  I won’t name any names or specific blogs, but the whole thing was, and continues to be, a terrible mess. Most of what I read lacked charity and drifted into detraction. It came from all directions; those in support of the Priest and those not. It became a repulsive display of piling on. Bloggers, and those who commented, hurled insults at one another. Bishops, priests, and laity – all were targets of the barbs.

Even writers that I admire couldn’t help themselves. Perhaps, in a mad dash to be the first one to comment, they didn’t meditate enough on what they were writing.  They even popped up with sharp words in the stream of comments, raising the level of hysteria. In fairness, one writer apologized for their harsh words. But sadly, it was an isolated case of self-reflection.

I can add nothing to the discussion about the merits, or lack thereof, regarding the announcement and the soap-opera. What I can add is this – wired Catholics must do better. Pray and reflect before posting something online. Does it lack charity? Does it scandalize or detract? Stop and pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. And don’t be tempted to write something because you are ‘right’ about an issue. A Holy Priest once told me, “Not only can you be damned wrong about something, you can be damned right.” That means, even if you think you have the moral high-ground, that may not be enough to justify your actions.

Pray for Bishops. Pray for Priests. Pray for Religious. Pray for Laity. Above all, pray for healing.

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