While Trumpeting 'Female Priests,' NYT's Goodstein Commits More Faulty Reporting on Catholic Church
When reporting stories concerning the Catholic Church, the New York Times' Laurie Goodstein has had a very troublesome track record with the facts. (For starters: 1, 2.)
Unfortunately, Goodstein's record only gets worse after another faulty and misleading front-page article (Sat., 7/23/11).
In attempting to trumpet the case for "female priests" in the Catholic Church, Goodstein and the Times profile a small number of dissident and ignorant Catholics who seek "change" in the 2,000-year-old institution. And in doing so, Goodstein misleads her readers in a number of ways:
1. Goodstein gives false the impression that the loopy Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a well-known dissenter and advocate for "womenpriests," has yet to be excommunicated from the Catholic Church. In fact, Bourgeois openly acknowledged to the Catholic News Service in 2009 that he had already been excommunicated on November 24, 2008, and that his order confirmed his excommunication. (Even Laurie's friends at the Boston Globe have recognized this.)
2. Goodstein reports that "Church experts" (who remain unidentified, of course) think it is "surprising" that 157 priests signed a statement in support of the wacky Fr. Bourgeois. Well, considering the fact that there are 410,593 Catholic priests in the world, 157 is not very impressive. (If my math is correct, that is .00038 (or 0.038%) of all Catholic priests.)
3. Goodstein briefly mentions Pope John Paul II's 1994 apostolic letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, which further declares the impossibility of women in the priesthood. However, Goodstein misleads her audience by failing to mention that Holy Orders, by which men are ordained as priests, is a sacrament in the Catholic Church. Many Protestant denominations and other "churches" do not recognize this, and this is an important distinction. The issue of "female priests" will never be "up for a vote" when "another Pope" comes along. It just won't happen, no matter how many articles Goodstein writes. (By the way, Paul reminds readers (in 1 Cor 12, Rom 12:4-8) that the priesthood is about role in the Church; it is not about "power" or "sexism," as Goodstein and advocates of "womenpriests" often state.)
4. Goodstein quotes an Australian priest to imply that "the shortage of priests" necessitates that women fill the role. In fact, while it is true that the numbers of priests in North America, Europe, and Oceania have been decreasing, the number of Catholic priests worldwide has been steadily increasing. There were 5,000 more Catholic priests in the world in 2009 than there were in 1999, according to a recent Vatican report.
The bottom line: These women who dress up as Catholic priests are as genuine as children who dress up on Halloween claiming they are Superman. This is a contingent that is small, geriatric, and schismatic. The Times is pretending to trumpet it as being larger and more influential than it is.
A far more interesting – and far more useful – article from Goodstein would have been relaying how these dopey advocates of "womenpriests" became so ignorant and dissident in the first place.
-- Dave Pierre is the author of the book, Double Standard: Abuse Scandals and the Attack on the Catholic Church. Dave is also the creator of TheMediaReport.com and is a contributing writer to NewsBusters.
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Comments
Well.... As a fallen away Catholic........
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 1:58pm.
It really makes me no nevermind what they do but it does sound like she is "Puffing up" this idea I would love to hear from the current Catholics.... how about Y'all down in South Louisiana......
You rang OldJarhead?*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:14pm.
Not to go into a long discourse on the history and beliefs of the Catholic Church, I will make it simple. The roles of the clergy in the Church is based upon tradition and the words of Jesus Christ. Priests are male. Nuns are female. The nuns are based upon the life of the Blessed Mother. As much as I respected and adored Mother Teresa, even she knew that she could never be a Priest. She took her role seriously and was totally committed to that role within the clergy. Look how that turned out. Priests have a role within the Church based upon the life of Christ which defines them as male.
To change the roles of the clergy in our Church would require changing the very basic tenets of our beliefs and we would be Episcopalians not Catholics.
For liberals in the media, pushing to change the basic tenets of the Catholic Church is but another effort to change the basic values and morals of our society. We now have gay marriage, DODT repealed, they trash the Boy Scouts, Jews, Christians, as well as those against abortion. All of this is intended to erase boundaries, morals, and individual rights in order to pursue "GROUP THINK". Special accomodations to groups as long as those group thinks go along with their socialist agenda. This ongoing attack against the Catholic Church is just one of many incremental steps designed to destroy the greatest values that make the US unique. This is so they can continue their efforts for a Global Society of One World Order.
Thank you!
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:27pm.
This concurs with my knowledge of the Church Traditions and the teachings of Christ. Let us take this to a logical extension. IF the Catholic Church, and the Holy Father, cave on this and let women become priests, then the could become bishops, then Cardinals, and then the Pope! How many of you would kiss the Ring of the Holy Mother of the Church? To me the Only Holy mother was Mary mother of Jesus. Her Ring I would kiss.... anyone else........ I don't think so
Throw out
Submitted by Jerry Mack on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:02pm.
In attempting to trumpet the case for "female priests" in the Catholic Church, Goodstein and the Times profile a small number of dissident and ignorant Catholics who seek "change" in the 2,000-year-old institution.
Same old case of throwing out what doesn't fit your perspective and keeping the parts that you like. That doesn't sound religious to me.
We south LA coon asses are
Submitted by Brackish One on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:12pm.
We south LA coon asses are holding our own.
I particularly enjoy the posts here regarding misinformation/attacks on the RCC.
Thanks!
Pssst Brackish*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:18pm.
Dont give those c'est Ameri'canns any ideas. Only cajuns are allowed to call ourselves "coona***!....;-)
! sgree...
Submitted by lsudolemite on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 3:10pm.
Choot 'im! ;)
I'm waiting
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:17pm.
for an article on why the Muslim faith has no female religious leaders. Come on NYT, where's that story?
Radical1979, EXACTLY!!!!!!
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:29pm.
Radical1979,
EXACTLY!!!!!! You stole my thunder!! I am also waiting for all these Liberal Feminists to write an article demanding that Islam allow women to become imams. Let's just make it simple. How about the New York Times writes an artice demanding that Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia allow women to drive or at least sit in the front seat!!!!
It never ceases to amaze the huge hypocrisy of the anti-Christians, in this case anti-Catholics. They love to attack Christianity, but stay silence about the Islam.
It is just like the wacko in Norway. The Left and anti-Christians groups have jumped all over this claiming that the horrirific terrorist attack is proof that Christianity is evil. Yet, Muslims carry these types of attacks at least once a year, if not more like once a month in the Middle East and other parts of the world, yet the same people that attack Christianity insist in calling Islam a religion of peace while calling Christians violent and fringes.
A wacked out "Christian" carries out an attack once every ten years. Leftists point to it as proof that Christianity is violent and in the fringes.
Main Stream Muslims carry out terrorist attacks on daily basis. Leftist point to it and say that Islam is a religion of peace.
Truly an upside down world!
Liberal Lies
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:37pm.
Despite what the media is saying, this guy described himself as not particularly religious. He's not Christian! He's a secularist like they want our country to be. Which again, proves to be a way of thinking with no regard for human life. That won't make the MSM storyline though.
Radical1979, Oh I know the
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 3:00pm.
Radical1979,
Oh I know the guy is not a Christian. But that is also the amazing thing.
An individual carries a terrorist attacks under the name of Islam and the Left wingers will say, "Well, he is not really a Muslim. Islam forbids violence!"
An individual carries a terrorist attack claiming it is under the name of Christianity and the Left wingers and anti-Crhsitians will say, "You see, you see! told you so!!! Christians are a violent bunch!"
AND I would like to see first hand what the terrorist in Norway is saying. It has been the media which has claimed that he is a Christian Fundamentalist. I haven't seen anything coming out straight from this wacko's mouth.
Liberallies
Submitted by Agnostic on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 3:26pm.
Careful what you ask for : What the terrorist was thinking.
and about that question about weekly/monthly on Islamic terrorism: half way down they list the incidents of the last two months - some interesting pictures on the way but the articles get repetitious
Agnostic, Thank you on both
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 8:18pm.
Agnostic,
Thank you on both counts.
The "Christian" terrorist sounds like a wacko. And in my very humble opinion, I smell a fish here. I really do.
Obama and his administration have been claiming that the real terrorist and problems are the Right-wing fundamentalist fringe groups. Europeans have also claimed the same. And all of a sudden poof, it falls at their feet?!
I am not one to believe in conspiracy theories, but I truly smell a rat on this one. Everything a little too convinient.
However, at the same time, it could be real crazies doing a lot of harm.
but as you so well put it with the link to the website about Islam. Islam is FAR from a religion about peace.
WOW SPOT ON!
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 2:31pm.
Your right they don't Islam shares the same tennants of the Old Testament (Abraham Moses.. and others) all considered to be important in the Holy Koran. Thus as a Patriarchial society, women are considered to be below or not worthy to be a religious leader.
OldJarhead77, This is what I
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 3:09pm.
OldJarhead77,
This is what I have never understood about these anti-Catholic Feminists. The two most imporant Beings in the Roman Catholic Church and in this order...
1) God The Father, God The Son, God the Hoy Spirit
2) The Blessed Virgin Mary- Queen of the Universe
I as a Catholic venerate (never worship. Worship is only for God) the Holy Virgin Mary. If I am to be a Roman Catholic I am to do as she tells us in the Gospels during the wedding a Cana, "Do as my Son commands you!"
Additionally, I as a Roman Catholic am suppose to follow the great exampe of all the women who the Church has cannonized. St. Ines, St. Joan of Arc, St. Bernedette, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.
Anyway, as I discover a long time ago, Left wing Femenist and anti-Catholics has nothing to do with equality. It is all about attempting to change Catholicism so they do not feel bad. That is what Liberalism is all about....Not feeling bad or inferior.
Thats true HOWEVER
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 4:35pm.
The INSIDIOUS part is that they use "Feminisim" as a pry bar to get to Catholic Women. It isn't OVERT they use the argument that men dominate the church, because starting with the pope down its controlled by men. And that if your a "liberated, Free thinking woman"you won't let men control or dominate you anywhere not in the bedroom not in the board room and not at church they
will tell women that men dominate the women parishioners, for no other reason then they are women.This puts Catholic women in a bind. Add to that the Cafeteria Catholisim that they have pushed into the American Catholic Church (Abortion is ok...its ok to be gay..... hey if John wants to wear a dress and high heels to mass and be called Jan thats ok....... Women acting in the stead of men because its their "right") The pick and choose whats good or bad is NOT the Roman Catholic Church I grew up in in Sweet Lake Louisiana, and then Later up in Winn Parish.
Wow OJ*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 5:06pm.
Sweet Lake is a beautiful part of the state. Been there several times. Bet you're lonesome.
yes but I got.....
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 11:38am.
a source for fresh Aligator...... so at least my Gumbo and jumbalaya don't suffer
Careful OldJarhead*
Submitted by cajun2 on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 11:48am.
Dont look for any turtle. That stuff is $17 a pound!!!!...;-(
IIIIIIIIIIII EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 1:58pm.
It ain't when you pull it up yourself ........ lol dyanmite work mo better for turtles......
Like I said before, the NYT
Submitted by Soldat44 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 3:28pm.
Like I said before, the NYT is publishing itself right into oblivion. The are unbelievably clueless.
Their objective...
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 7:14pm.
...is to DESTROY the RCC. They pretend they want to change it, but they know that by changing it to fit their ideology, they would effectively destroy it. All they care about is that as things stands now, the RCC is in their way. Either the RCC moves, or they get run over, as far as these lie-beral types are concerned. They don't really care about what happens to the RCC, as long as they're no longer in their way.
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
Ain't going to happen
Submitted by LaVallette on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 6:13am.
There will never be women priests in the Catholic Church. Roma locuta, causa finita: Rome has spoken, end of argument.
Why would the Catholic Church commit hari kiri the way the other traditional denominations have.? Not one that has ordered female priests has managed to halt their drive into oblivion and increasingly they are becoming "women's business". What man constantly harngued all week by his wife at home would seek solace in Church on Sunday to be haranged by another women!
A priest when engaged in ministerng the sacraments stand in "persona Christi". He is not just a representative of Chirst, but he actually personifies Christ Himself. Christ is male, therefore no woman can personify Him.
The "effeteness" of western culture does not represent the univeral Catholic Church. So in some places in the West we have a priest shortage. God in his infinite wisdom and providence has inspired a great number of priestly vocations in other countries: Africa Phillipines, India.and many of these men are prepared to come and minister the sacraments to the faithful in the Western wasteland.
PS. Even the low number of men training to be priests in many western countries has, thanks
be to God, turned the corner. In our diocese the numbers in training has gone up in the last decade or so from a total of under a dozen into the high forties, and where in the recent past we were lucky to mange a single or perhaps two ordinations a year, we now have 5 or more. The cricle turns and the pendulum swings.
The greatest disaster for the Catholic Church has already happenned: that was on the first Good Friday. It has been looking forward anbd growing ever since despite the naysayers and those who wish she were dead.