English bishop tells blogger-deacon to stop posting
March 14, 2014
An English bishop has directed a permanent deacon in his diocese to stop posting on his blog site and observe a “period of prayer and reflection.”
The Lancaster diocese confirmed that Bishop Michael Campbell told Deacon Nick Donnelly that he should “voluntarily” stop posting items on his blog. The site, entitled Protect the Pope, had become popular for its criticism of Catholic dissidents. Bishop Campbell ordered Deacon Donnelly to reflect on “the duties involved for ordained bloggers/website administrators to truth, charity and unity in the Church.”
While the deacon has obeyed the bishop’s order, his wife has continued to maintain the Protect the Pope site.
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Posted by: -
Mar. 18, 2014 9:53 PM ET USA
Just another bishop silencing a strident defender of the Faith while ignoring the cacophony of dissenters, many clerics under his authority. Nothing new here...
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Mar. 15, 2014 1:31 PM ET USA
I just took a gander at the "Protect the Pope" site. From a 5-minute glance, it looks to me like good-natured Catholics letting off steam. Besides readers' comments, I saw a lot of good news being posted--a lot of truth and charity. There is also unity evident on the site, which is clearly in support of Pope Francis.
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Posted by: -
Mar. 14, 2014 7:37 PM ET USA
His Grace the Bishop has evidently never heard of the "Streisand Effect"! One cannot buy such good publicity.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Mar. 14, 2014 5:52 PM ET USA
Interesting followup. All of us deacons are vowed to obey our bishop, but all our wives do is accept our ordination and ministry.
