whose obsession?

By Diogenes ( articles ) | May 10, 2005

Let's just suppose you heard me tell a newspaper reporter that I'm afraid of Islamic terrorists, drunk drivers, white sharks, scorpions, skunks, cancer, and income taxes. Then the next day you read the headline story, which focused on my fear of skunks-- not even mentioning the other items on my list. Would you conclude that I am fixated on skunks? Or would you conclude that was the reporter's particular obsession?

Right.

Now take the case of Father Tom Reese, outgoing editor of America. A spokesman for his Jesuit order, speaking to Catholic News Service, listed the concerns raised by Vatican officials about America's editorial policies:

Father de Vera said the articles that drew complaints treated a relatively small number of issues: "Dominus Iesus," the doctrinal congregation's document on Christ as the unique savior; same-sex marriage; stem-cell research; and the reception of Communion by Catholic politicians who support legal abortion.

If you have some spare time today, read a dozen news accounts about the Reese resignation, carefully counting the references to each of the issues on that list. If you're busy, take my word for it: There will be roughly 10 mentions of same-sex marriage for every 1 reference to stem-cell research; 85 references to same-sex marriage for every mention of Dominus Iesus.

When the Vatican issues a statement about christological doctrine, the media don't even notice. But a statement on sexual morality hits, and sticks, on the front page. This conclusively proves.... that the Vatican is fixated on sexuality??