Thank heavens. Pope Benedict XVI has finally stepped off of Shepherd One onto American soil to begin a six day visit that is sure to be everything the American left hopes to make it out to be. The media is working overtime to resurrect old wounds, create some new controversies and repeat liberal talking points that so perfectly judges a man as only the selective memory of liberal hypocrisy has the ability to do.
And just in time too. What better way to take the pressure off of Barack Obama’s Rev. JeremiahWright controversy than to reignite the flames of the Catholic Church priest sex scandal? Finally, a target has appeared that is worthy of the left’s criticism and utter disdain. If only he had visited 2 or 3 weeks back.
I had at one time thought that the mainstream media had been pretty well represented by articles filled with your typical leftist anti-Christian/anti-Pope Benedict slant. To see examples of such bias we need only stop by the magnifying glass of Wikipedia. Their archive and discussion pages are unique in the way in which they channel common themes that circulate in the public realm of the left; a sort of lib-cyclopedia if you will.
For instance, the rocket scientists that contributed to Pope Benedict’s Wikipedia page were truly conflicted about how to characterize the controversial machinations of the left concerning Pope Benedict’s past. Thus the discussion page devolved into the typical sort of Pope bashing that resulted in some stunningly stupid statements on a broad range of topics including "his time fighting for Hitler," how "he stole food from Ethiopian shipments" and a statement about how the Pope is the most hated man nowadays along with President Bush (of course). Thus there is a precedent. How much worse could it get?
Now we know. It’s not like the American left has ever held Pope Benedict in high regard. But the latest coverage is like liberalism on steroids. You needn’t go any further than the home page of today’s NewsBusters to see this in action. Brent Bozell discussed the critical media coverage in today’s Media Messengers article. Matthew Balan noted that ABC is highlighting the Catholic priest sex abuse scandal, and Tim Graham reported that the left’s media darling, Katie Couric, insists that the Pope is ‘Extremely Conservative,’ ‘Very Conservative’.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do a simple google search on “Pope Benedict ashamed” and you come away with over 230,000 hits documenting how deeply ashamed Pope Benedict is concerning the sex scandal, the cost it has had on the church and various statements from victims that are upset over how his shame isn’t enough. But it doesn’t stop there.
The big push nowadays is to get the Pope to go on an apology-palooza tour making amends that will no doubt be unsatisfactory to all for everything from the Catholic Church sex scandal to the holocaust. If we use the press coverage as a barometer then we must imagine that everybody wants the Pope to apologize for something. Of course that is the premise being used as a platform to bash the church; a sort of protective cushion.
If there is a victim, real or imagined, there is an audience willing to participate in the attack. For the American left this is a requirement before making a stand. Find the victim and use that person or group as the tool to further your agenda.
The emphasis on making Pope Benedict’s visit to America some sort of reconciliation tour for the exclusive denunciation of pedophile priests is a bit confusing to me. The mainstream media is making a big deal of this as is expected. But this outrage is selective of course.
For example, there was no such outrage when Hillary Clinton stood on stage with Elton John to accept $2.5 million in donations for her presidential bid. Yet six short months ago Elton John stood defending himself from charges of child pornography. Yes, Sir Elton was eventually released from the charges but there is no doubt that the controversial picture in his gallery depicts two girls, a toddler in her underwear straddling a naked infant who is laying on her back, legs open and apart. Don’t believe me? You can view the celebrated picture yourself on Radar online, a Web magazine that just happens to be run by Yusef Jackson (son of Jesse Jackson) and big time Clinton friend, supporter and contributor to Democrat causes and both Clinton campaigns, Ron Burkle.
Where’s the outage on that one?
One wonders how the media is so selective; unless of course you are a media observer. Isn’t it strange that not one person in the mainstream media asked Hillary Clinton how a woman running for president can appear all huggy and smiles on stage along side a person that celebrates the sexualization of infants yet that same media holds Pope Benedict hostage to a scandal that emerged big time almost six years ago before he was even elected to the papacy.
Six months versus six years. Hmmm. Could it be that one side of the equation is also pro-gay by inclusion, thus making him a protected entity while the other person in question is a Christian leader that has serious moral reservations about gays?
Nah, not in this media.
In my opinion the ramped up criticism of Pope Benedict is a product of a liberal media that seeks to protect their own (Obama, Clinton) at a time when Democrats are frantically practicing damage control in a primary season that has been less than favorable for the once inevitable heirs to the reins of power. Don’t worry though, there are many more days to go. I have faith that the MSM will outdo themselves on this one.
Terry Trippany is the editor and publisher of Webloggin.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The headline above the fold
April 16, 2008 - 17:37 ET by QueenMumThe headline above the fold on the front page of my local newspaper:
Pope 'deeply ashamed' about pedophiles in clergy
Nuf said. :(
I am the exotic Queen Mum, and I approved this message.
A Few Points
April 16, 2008 - 20:43 ET by the curatorI'd like to argue that the media are unfairly treating the Pope during his first visit to the country.
If there were a company that (a very small number of members) had comitted sexual assaults on a number of children... who would you want to ask personally about that? The head of the organization.
Now, I'm a Christian... and a journalist. As both, I have no problem with the media questioning the Pope about the series of abuses in the Catholic church which have become public in the last few decades. In fact, reporters wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't ask.
What better way to take the pressure off of Barack Obama’s Rev. JeremiahWright controversy
Again, no. The Jeremiah Wright controversy is a few weeks old now. Its not news any more (remember, whats 'new' is news).
Also, Wright isn't a catholic. So, trying to correlate him with the Pope - in this instance - doesn't work. They're different, independent stories.
As for your assertion that Wikipedia discussions are unfairly criticizing the Pope... I remind you that discussions - much like blogs - can't be monitored all that well sometimes. Especially with a site the size of Wikipedia.
And, you'll be interested to see what Wiki's main page has to say about the Pope's time in the Nazi Party...
WIKIPEDIA - Following his fourteenth birthday in 1941, Ratzinger was enrolled in the Hitler Youth — membership being legally required after December 1939 but was an unenthusiastic member and refused to attend meetings
Gosh, sounds to me like they're defending the guy.
And, comparing Elton John's alleged child abuse scandal to the catholic church's admitted and proven child abuse scandal??? Pretty weak comparing one man's allegations to a world wide organization's admittence of countless child assaults.
Finally, those bastards in the liberal media reporting on the sex scandal! Look at the AP story I found that FOX News had the gaul to link to!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351517,00.html
Good to know that when some media outlets are acutally asking the pertinent questions, FOX will link to them (because they'd never ask those questions themselves)
By and large the catholic church is one of the best, most positive groups in the world (the best if you're a catholic, obviously). But, to scream 'bloody murder' for questioning the man that heads the organization that committed countless child abuses is just wrong.
To the Pope's great credit (I find him to be a great leader) he answered the questions with poise, honestly and dignity.
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
CATHOLIC PRIDE
April 16, 2008 - 21:26 ET by reelman46CATHOLIC PRIDE
Proud of Being Catholic
(Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman - NOT Catholic) Submitted by Dee Lynd
Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most
important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely
the Catholic Church?
Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students
everyday at the cost to your Church of 10 billion dollars, and a
savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion
dollars. Your graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%,
all at a cost to you. To the rest of the Americans it’s free.
The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.
The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637
hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5
people - not just Catholics - in the United States today.
But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in
every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the
disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible
as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.
Let me give you some figures that you as Catholics should know and
remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed
admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged
other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist
Church , 41.8 % of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17%
of laywomen have been sexually harassed. Meanwhile, 1.7% of the
Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the
Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not
a Catholic Problem.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the
priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that
most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of
all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.
The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The
agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the
fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward
priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now.
Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud
member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United
States . Then remember what Jeremiah said: ‘Stand by the roads, and
look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in
it, and find rest for your souls’. Be proud to speak up for your faith
with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other
religions. Be proud that you’re a Catholic.
=====
Reprinted excerpts with permission of the Buckeye Bulletin - courtesy of Brookside Council #3297, Cleveland Diocese.
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
reelman
April 17, 2008 - 11:22 ET by lotrWell stated. I would only add that the Catholic Church's overwhelming good in the world extends beyond the U.S., in fact, is most felt in non-affluent nations.
Hi Curator, I believe you
April 16, 2008 - 21:47 ET by Terry TrippanyHi Curator,
I believe you are misinterpreting the point of my article. In am not comparing Elton John's case to the case of the Catholic Church sex scandals. I do not feel they are equivalent in terms of scope or breadth. The point I am trying to make is that the MSM is selective in that which they choose to be outraged about. The overwhelming resurgence of coverage on the Church scandal is no coincidence IMHO. They report the talking points in lockstep and it is very apparent.
What I find curious about the Elton John issue is that we have a woman running for president, a mother of a daughter, who seems to care less about the picture in John's gallery and the charge he was defending. The fact that a British authority decided that it was art is not relevant. There is much that falls under the classification of "art" that is objectionable and I believe this is such a case. This is relevant in my mind and apparently not in the eyes of the press. Let's not forget that the picture is published by big time donors to the Democratic Party, including the brother of a Congressman. I think this is news.
We can disagree on whether or not the Wright case is old news. It was front and center in tonight's debate so I disagree on that point. However if I am to take your characterization of old news then I would propose that the Wright news is much more fresh and relevant than that of the Church sex scandals.
I'm not sure what your point is about Fox news. They carry AP feeds. I don't believe they selectively edit them out or censor them unduly. I certainly have called Fox news to task in my spots on Newsbusters and don't drink the Fox Kool-Aid although I do believe they are more balanced in many cases.
I focus on the Wikipedia discussion page and not the front page. The conversation in the particular page I linked up is actually has a section about Wikipedia's monitoring of the discussions (line 1 under the controversy section). It is also noted that the article was reviewed by Wikipedia's editorial team. I did not say all in any case, I said some and linked up the front page. People can make their own opinions and mine is just one take.
I do agree that it is certainly relevant for the press to ask the Pope about the scandal. However I find that nothing is satisfactory in terms of his answers or actions for the press or the left. I also believe that the coverage of his answer is being disproportionately covered and the fact that he said he was ashamed should be expected.
Thank you
April 17, 2008 - 03:56 ET by the curatorMr. (or Mrs.) Trippany,
I appreciate the repost very much. Your points are good ones and reading what you wrote back I understand them much more.
Great point about Wright being mentioned in the debate - shows its still news.
Thanks for clarifying the Elton John comment.
As for the Pope's answers and how they're being covered... certainly open to interpretation and I respect your position.
If I was a bit curt with my first post, I apologize. I can be like that sometimes. You were both polite and respectful in your response.
Thanks again for the clarifications.
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
"But, to scream 'bloody
April 16, 2008 - 21:57 ET by lotr"But, to scream 'bloody murder' for questioning the man that heads the organization that committed countless child abuses is just wrong."
Two clarifications: (1) strictly speaking, the majority of offenses were cases of ephebophilia, not pedophilia; there is a clear difference between the two; (2) the offenses in question were not under Benedict's watch, but rather his predecessor, the beloved JPII. I don't know if anyone is screaming bloody murder that he has been questioned, but rather the inordinate amount of time spent dwelling on the subject, along with other sensational, juicy leftist topics like "homosexuality," "abortion," and "celebacy." Next subject please. To quote your good self "It's not news any more..."
"By and large the catholic church is one of the best, most positive groups in the world (the best if you're a catholic, obviously)."
True.
"To the Pope's great credit (I find him to be a great leader) he answered the questions with poise, honestly and dignity."
Also true.
The Vatican's Rottweiler.
April 16, 2008 - 22:53 ET by Ole_SargePapa Ratzi (as many of the fans still call him) was NEVER
pleased about the abuse scandals in the US Church. He came over on SEVERAL trips throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and spent an "abusive” week
in San Francisco.
Where there were protests because he was there to investigate reports of homosexual harassment of "straight" men at a couple seminaries. The queers were outraged about it.
From The Catholic
Review On-line
In February 1984, he
traveled to Dallas, where he gave two talks,
including one to bishops of the Americas,
and in January 1988, he traveled to New
York City for a public lecture.
He visited Washington
in January 1990 to give a talk at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on
Marriage and Family. In February 1991,
he spoke at a bishops’ workshop in Dallas,
where he delivered an address on “Conscience and Truth.”
He went to San Francisco in February 1999 for a
meeting of Vatican doctrinal congregation officials and doctrinal officials
from bishops’ conferences of North America and Oceania.
To the late Pope John-Paul the Great, who came of age and
was a church leader in a communist country, rumors of sexual abuse by priests
was “stock” in trade. In his experience,
it was often unfounded. He was a naïve man
about what was happening in the US.
The Vatican’s German Rottweiler was
not.
(BTW A Rottweiler is a large dog breed originating in Germany as herding
dogs. The early Rottweilers also worked as beasts of burden, carrying wood and
other products to market. In addition, they were used as draft animals to pull
carts filled with various products for their owners.) Personally I think the term fits, he shepherds
and herds his flock, and carries a heavy burden.
I had talked to some priests and a Bishop that attended at a
couple of those closed door meetings between the Cardinal and the Bishops. He was NOT a happy man about the situation.
The United
States is not alone; in fact, the figures
quotes of about 1% are about what I’ve heard too. In two European countries, the rate is close
to 10%, and there is trouble in Brazil
and a few African countries as well.
The abuse, when it happens is a symptom of an endemic problem
in that society in general. Nevertheless,
the lies and cover-up from the hierarchy – that is not to be tolerated.
Now if the Vatican
would return Bernard Cardinal Law for some questions to be answered...