In October of 2009, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications discussed the following questions: What constitutes Catholic communications and what can be done to curb the number of online writers who use the word Catholic to describe their blog or website while using unpleasant adjectives to describe anyone who doesn’t agree with them?One idea that surfaced during the October meetings was the creation of a code of conduct for Catholic bloggers.
The idea of a code of conduct – a writer’s creed – is intriguing. While it is uncertain whether such a code would protect the name Catholic from being used for partisan agendas, the concern for the proper use of the name Catholic is a valid one. How can we protect Catholics who visit blogs and websites from assuming that they are receiving an accurate picture of what it means to be Catholic? How can we reduce the number of bloggers and online writers who electronically publish anything they want under the banner of Catholicism?
Catholic authors can seek an imprimatur, but there is no equivalent for electronic media. (Incidentally, the same concerns apply to works by Catholic authors who publish their books through vanity/self-publishing, requiring neither an imprimatur nor the discerning eyes of a publisher’s panel of editors and reviewers.)
Catholic bloggers and online Catholic magazines are quite good at publishing reflective and inspirational pieces, but when these writers dabble in contemporary issues and politically-charged topics, things get dicey. It makes it very difficult for readers to discern the difference between a Catholic perspective and a partisan perspective.
Even the most devout Catholic writers can lose their grip on the nexus of politics and faith. I sadly admit that I fell into this trap while writing for one “Catholic” online magazine. I no longer write for that venue.
I have been a Catholic freelance writer since 2005, when I converted to the Catholic Church. Since then, I have had commentary pieces published in 36 diocesan papers. I have had the great privilege of reviewing many complimentary copies of diocesan papers. One thing is clear to me: diocesan papers are a reliable source of information on all issues. Diocesan papers (both print and electronic) are trustworthy because they place themselves under the authority of their bishops. They transcend the political agendas of partisan politics. In short, they are authentically Catholic.
Regardless of the domestic and international issues they are covering, diocesan editors and writers stand with our bishops. They do not tear them down.
Pseudo-Catholic venues frequently permit writers and readers’ responses to take issue with the USCCB. The ultra-conservative venues welcome articles and comments that criticize the bishops’ efforts regarding conservative concerns. The far left venues welcome articles and readers’ comments that criticize the bishops’ efforts regarding liberal concerns.
Until there is a structure in place to monitor blogs and websites that profess to be Catholic, readers will have to practice discernment. Thankfully, we can trust diocesan papers (and their online websites/blogs) to solidly profess the faith while we wait for better safeguards for Internet browsing.
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