Is LifeSiteNews anti-Francis?

[Luke6_37]

It sounds like your objection basically boils down to NCRs use of the word “Catholic” in their name, because you see it as a violation of Canon law. Fair enough. That is a legal, not a moral argument. So lets look at it from a legal perspective.

What does “consent of competent ecclesiastical authority” actually mean? Must it be active consent or is tacit consent sufficient? In perhaps the best hit piece against NCR that I could find, the author concludes with the lament that…

“National Catholic Reporter is given unobstructed access to official Catholic events, the publication is subscribed to by priests and parishes, and Bishops and Cardinals continue to legitimize this rag by providing NCR with interviews.” and then goes on to list 10 Bishops or Cardinals that have been interviewed by NCR. http://www.lepantoinstitute.org/pop...olic-reporter-should-be-banned-by-us-bishops/

Then you have these facts:

• NCR is a member of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada whose honorary president is Bishop John Wester, who also serves as the chairman of the Committee of Communications of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• NCR has won the “General Excellence” award from the Catholic Press Association in the category of national news publications six times between 2008 and 2014.
• The Catholic Press Association in June 2017 awarded Former NCR Editor and Publisher, Tom Fox, its highest honor for publishers, the Bishop John England Award.

So despite its liberal bias on certain issues - and it is far more liberal than I am personally, it appears to have some standing in the Catholic media. There are many ecclesiastical authorities who treat it as a legitimate source of Catholic news. It certainly is by no means as fringy or sensational as LSN and has overall been very positive in its reporting on Pope Francis and the Vatican.

 

[pnewton]

What does “consent of competent ecclesiastical authority” actually mean?

That is not a matter of juridical opinion. Consent means an affirmation of the word “yes.” Do not ever date if you do not understand this. In the Church, there is an established procedure by diocese how that consent is given that includes at minimum written request to act as a Catholic apostolate and a written permission to do so. The purpose is to provide episcopal oversight to all Catholic organizations, and protection for the laity from people who will use the name Catholic without oversight.

It may seem a small thing, but disobedience to the Church only hardens the heart to the Holy Spirit. That is why this same group can produce heretical op-eds, like the one above.

In any case, if you find it useful and edifying, there is surely nothing wrong with that. I prefer their irregularity be known though so that the faithful will exercise caution, rather than trust because they see the label “Catholic.”

 

[phil19034]

The National “Catholic” Reporter was denounced by their local bishop back in 1968! National Catholic Reporter | October 16, 1968 | -need copy.

They have been again defocked by their local Bishop Finn and by the bishop before that.

Bishop Finn: National Catholic Reporter should not call itself Catholic - LifeSite

"I have a responsibility as the local bishop to instruct the Faithful about the problematic nature of this media source which bears the name ‘Catholic,’” wrote Bishop Finn.

www.lifesitenews.com

The Bishop’s Role in Fostering the Mission of the Catholic Media - The Catholic Key

When I was editor of the diocesan paper in St. Louis, my office had a statue of St. Francis DeSales, Bishop of Geneva, and Doctor of the Church.

catholickey.org

God Bless

 

[Luke6_37]

The National “Catholic” Reporter was denounced by their local bishop back in 1968! National Catholic Reporter | October 16, 1968 | -need copy.

They have been again defocked by their local Bishop Finn and by the bishop before that.
Bishop Finn: National Catholic Reporter should not call itself Catholic | News | LifeSite

http://catholickey.org/2013/01/25/the-bishops-role-in-fostering-the-mission-of-the-catholic-media/

God Bless

1968 is a long time ago and Bishop Finn was forced to resign in a huge scandal over his handling of pedophile priests - something NCR stridently called for in their reporting. Do you think that might have biased his opinion?

As far as I can tell, NCR is on cordial terms with the current Bishop, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2015. Nothing but positive press for him.

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

What does “consent of competent ecclesiastical authority” actually mean?

That is not a matter of juridical opinion. Consent means an affirmation of the word “yes.” Do not ever date if you do not understand this. In the Church, there is an established procedure by diocese how that consent is given that includes at minimum written request to act as a Catholic apostolate and a written permission to do so. The purpose is to provide episcopal oversight to all Catholic organizations, and protection for the laity from people who will use the name Catholic without oversight.

It may seem a small thing, but disobedience to the Church only hardens the heart to the Holy Spirit. That is why this same group can produce heretical op-eds, like the one above.

In any case, if you find it useful and edifying, there is surely nothing wrong with that. I prefer their irregularity be known though so that the faithful will exercise caution, rather than trust because they see the label “Catholic.”

I do not think the canon is clear at all about whether active consent is required or if tacit consent is sufficient. As I pointed out, there are plenty of examples of ecclesiastic authorities treating NCR as if it were a legitimate Catholic media outlet by giving them access and interviews. In my mind, if this is not a form of tacit consent, then it sends a very confusing mixed message.

If we go way back to my initial comment about NCR vs EWTN vs LSN it wasn’t to say that NCR is a great example of Catholic media, but to highlight that there is something deeply troubling in EWTN’s World Over episode from 2018-02-15 and in the tone taken by LSN in amplifying the controversy. Both are pushing an agenda in opposition to Pope Francis. Right now, I’m more worried about that than about NCR writing articles about female bishops being ordained in schismatic Catholics sects.

 

[fin]

#imwithraymond

Mother Angelica is proud of Raymond for standing up for true Catholic teachings, I presume. Love the Papal Posse. EWTN should continue exposing the rot at the ahem Vatican.

 

[MidwestGuy]

Just out of curiosity, what article currently posted on the frontpage of the NCR website represents a distortion of Catholicism?

NCR was asked to remove the name Catholic by the Bishop. Tells me all I need to know.

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

Just out of curiosity, what article currently posted on the frontpage of the NCR website represents a distortion of Catholicism?

NCR was asked to remove the name Catholic by the Bishop. Tells me all I need to know.

Well, that’s one criteria. What does it tell you when a media outlet that doesn’t used the word “Catholic” in its name openly advocates against the Pope? What should you think of them?

Why is Raymond Arroyo giving this man a platform to promote his anti-Pope Francis book? Why is LIfeSiteNews amplifying the message?

https://www.data.lifesitenews.com/n...-on-ewtn-pope-francis-has-deliberately-create

It should not require a bishop to point out that this sort of schismatic messaging is something the faithful should avoid.

 

[MidwestGuy]

Well, that’s one criteria.

What other criteria should I use for NCR? If multiple bishops throughout the years have asked them to remove the name Catholic, what should I think?

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

Well, that’s one criteria.

What other criteria should I use for NCR? If multiple bishops throughout the years have asked them to remove the name Catholic, what should I think?

I guess that means you can’t respond to my actual post.

MidwestGuy:

Luke6_37:

Just out of curiosity, what article currently posted on the frontpage of the NCR website represents a distortion of Catholicism?

NCR was asked to remove the name Catholic by the Bishop. Tells me all I need to know.

Well, that’s one criteria. What does it tell you when a media outlet that doesn’t used the word “Catholic” in its name openly advocates against the Pope? What should you think of them?

Why is Raymond Arroyo giving this man a platform to promote his anti-Pope Francis book? Why is LIfeSiteNews amplifying the message?

https://www.data.lifesitenews.com/n...-on-ewtn-pope-francis-has-deliberately-create

It should not require a bishop to point out that this sort of schismatic messaging is something the faithful should avoid.

 

[MidwestGuy]

I guess that means you can’t respond to my actual post.

I didn’t respond to your entire post because I have not looked into any of your other points. I answered your first post and since you didn’t like the answer you changed the goal posts.

I notice you did the same thing you accused me of - you never answered my question to your follow up question.

 

[Luke6_37]

Well, let’s see what Steve Jalsevac, founder of LifeSiteNews, said in a comment for the post “On EWTN orthodox Catholic author warns Pope Francis has deliberately created confusion”

“To continue denying the grave problems with this papacy is inexcusable and serious personal negligence. One cannot be a faithful Catholic, meaning faithful to Jesus Christ, while continuing to defend Bergoglio.”

It seems anti-Francis to me.

https://www.data.lifesitenews.com/n...-on-ewtn-pope-francis-has-deliberately-create

I totally agree. Look at this. Here you have a man who openly challenges the authority of the pope being called “Orthodox” and allowed to be editor of a news organization with the name “Catholic” in the title.

There is nothing more dangerous than folks are being misled by wolves in sheep’s clothing.

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

I guess that means you can’t respond to my actual post.

I didn’t respond to your entire post because I have not looked into any of your other points. I answered your first post and since you didn’t like the answer you changed the goal posts.

I notice you did the same thing you accused me of - you never answered my question to your follow up question.

Your question was answered already. Had you read through the entire thread you would have seen that.

Is LifeSiteNews anti-Francis? Catholic News

1968 is a long time ago and Bishop Finn was forced to resign in a huge scandal over his handling of pedophile priests - something NCR stridently called for in their reporting. Do you think that might have biased his opinion? As far as I can tell, NCR is on cordial terms with the current Bishop, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2015. Nothing but positive press for him.

I see no reason to relitigate the same issue over again. I acknowledged your POV by saying “That’s one criteria” and then asked a question that addressed the actual topic of this discussion. I even provided an example for you to consider.

If you can’t answer - that’s fine.

 

[MidwestGuy]

Your question was answered already. Had you read through the entire thread you would have seen that.

I still don’t see an answer to this question? This is the one I was referring to.

If multiple bishops throughout the years have asked them to remove the name Catholic, what should I think?

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

Your question was answered already. Had you read through the entire thread you would have seen that.

I still don’t see an answer to this question? This is the one I was referring to.

If multiple bishops throughout the years have asked them to remove the name Catholic, what should I think?

I can’t help you if you are blind. My answer is what it is. Take it or leave it.

Meanwhile, this topic is about LSN and the schismatic articles it publishes against Pope Francis. If you want to discuss that, then we have something to talk about.

 

[MidwestGuy]

I think I’ll leave it. You stated your reasons why he might be biased but did not refute any of the reasons he gave for wanting them to remove the name Catholic.

I also looked at their website and read some articles on my own Bishop. Glad I did so I never have to visit their website again.

 

[Luke6_37]

I think I’ll leave it. You stated your reasons why he might be biased but did not refute any of the reasons he gave for wanting them to remove the name Catholic.

I also looked at their website and read some articles on my own Bishop. Glad I did so I never have to visit their website again.

Too bad, they have this cute comic strip on Pope Francis you’ll be missing…


Its refreshing to read in contrast to all the trash talk about the Pope being published by EWTN & LifeSiteNews.

 

[MidwestGuy]

Its refreshing to read in contrast to all the trash talk about the Pope being published by EWTN & LifeSiteNews.

I wouldn’t know about that since I don’t watch EWTN or read LIfeSiteNews. I do know that the articles I read about the Bishop in my Diocese ON NCR was just a lot of trash talk (as you put it).

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

Its refreshing to read in contrast to all the trash talk about the Pope being published by EWTN & LifeSiteNews.

I wouldn’t know about that since I don’t watch EWTN or read LIfeSiteNews. I do know that the articles I read about the Bishop in my Diocese ON NCR was just a lot of trash talk (as you put it).

Why don’t you share one?

 

[MidwestGuy]

Why don’t you share one?

Are you blind, I mentioned I wasn’t going to visit that site again.