Church Militant

[FiveLinden]

I have been watching the development of the Church Militant website and noticed a few things. 1) It is in expansion mode but from its reported funding and obviously low staffing remains a marginal operation. 2) Its expansion of services, both paid and free has put pressure on the quality of its product. There are few facts, far more opinions, more sub-editing errors and repetition not only in writing but in the choices of topics and the angles taken. 3) The focus on sexual behaviour by clergy is overwhelming. I assume this means that they are getting a good hit rate from these stories but they are obviously risking becoming a one-ring circus and driving away viewers wanting more. 4) Michael Voris’ is a talented communicator but seems to have failed to attract others of similar calibre to front (and write?) for his shows. There seems to be some pre-production work with his panelists for example but their prepared talking points seem, well, prepared and there is virtually no cross-panel discussion.

So in summary it looks to me like it is at a turning or tipping point. It needed to expand but the expansion does not seem to have generated the support (financial and talent) to sustain it. Short of a large legacy or other donation I can see hard times ahead, especially as its focus on sexual issues must have reduced its ability to appeal to a wider audience. I don’t disagree with Church Militant any more than I disagree with other groups/currents/factions in the Church - I’m just an observing unbeliever.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

You’ve probably paid a lot more attention to Church Militant and its website than most of us here bother to do.

I read it sometimes, but like all other media I don’t much care if it stays in business or not. If it fails, another website or outlet will just spring up to take its place.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

I don’t disagree with Church Militant any more than I disagree with other groups/currents/factions in the Church - I’m just an observing unbeliever

An unbeliever who reads Church Militant will probably stay an unbeliever. I hope they aren’t part of what’s keeping you from God.

 

[Joe_5859]

Short of a large legacy or other donation I can see hard times ahead, especially as its focus on sexual issues must have reduced its ability to appeal to a wider audience.

Interesting thought. I have no idea what their financial picture is, but I always sort of imagined that the past 8 months of scandalous revelations have been a boon to Church Militant’s bottom line. I can see how they and their fans would find vindication. I can also see how they would focus even more on sexual scandals at a time where it’s more present to people’s conscious thoughts.

But, yes, as a long term strategy for content creation, it won’t stay at the forefront indefinitely.

I don’t generally read or watch Church Militant, but I am always interested in looking at different Catholic groups, how they operate, and who they influence.

 

[FiveLinden]

An unbeliever who reads Church Militant will probably stay an unbeliever. I hope they aren’t part of what’s keeping you from God.

Well, I think if I go looking for God that’s not the place I’ll start!

 

[commenter]

CM is part of a group of ministries in the Right. They compete with each other. At one time they had lots of good info. But now the competition has heated up, and more players have begun. So instead of having 9 parts useful info for every one part lurid, now it’s 9 parts lurid for every one else part useful.

If OnePeterFive finds dirt on a bishop, then Lepanto has to find dirt on a Cardinal or else they lose money. These sites now are run on providing thrills for readers. They rarely have any info that any readers can personally apply.