Will the "Real Catholics" please stand up?

Elephant in the Baptismal?

The situation concerning the Archdiocese of Detroit  has become whole lot more interesting because of some blog posts that popped up like daisies recently. First, there was the announcement of parish closures, consolidations, and clusters. Then the "Real Catholic TV" debacle happened. I say debacle, because it really seemed to be a self-inflicted wound on the AOD's behalf. The situation, hadn't changed much since a few weeks ago when the original Press Release by the AOD came out, followed by the subsequent Real Catholic TV response. After writing my original piece, some expressed a little confusion as to what I ultimately thought was the biggest problem with the AOD's actions. I had intended to do that until the New Year's weekend snuck up on me (as well as a flu). Finally, there are questions stemming from these two stories, that the AOD in the midst of these situations, was turning a blind eye to some rather large... well, Elephants in the Living Room.

This is a clarification and expansion on the overall situation.

Developments

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The closure announcement is still forthcoming, and seems to loom large like a cloud over everyone's head. Many are waiting, while holding their breath. So I don't expect too much to be said until the official announcement is made

The Real Catholic TV situation saw quite a few developments this week, most notably when one of the worlds most premier lay Canon Lawyers expressed his opinion on the matter. Dr. Edward Peters, who in full disclosure does "work" as an instructor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit, published a blog piece explaining the situation and its Canonical implications [Link]. This prompted a deluge of posts on Dr. Peters' commentary. [See, Te Deum, WDTPRS, Abbey Roads, Rorate Caeli, et al] 

Most interestingly though, a recent post from a DUIB favorite, LarryD at Acts of the Apostasy, painted a rather damaging image of the AOD as the bearer of a double-standard. This seems to tower above the "Elephants in the Living Room" situation [Link]. His post details a story published by the Archdiocese in their own Seminary magazine about a rather questionable and Canonically queer Baptism. It seems to point to a double-standard that exists in the AOD.

AOD Damage Control

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The primary argument in my original piece on this situation is essentialy that the AOD should not be in the business of popular opinion, marketing, or public relations. Their main mission should be that they are the institutional Church on earth, saving souls and leading them to heaven. In my original post, some inferred that I was arguing that dioceses should have a more robust public relations outfit, thereby engaging more in relations and public opinion endeavors. In reality, I think that if a Diocese is well run a Bishop speaks and the people listen. The Bishop of course will be faithful to the teachings of the Church and guided by the Holy spirit in pursuit and defense of the truth. My original post was meant to convey my belief that the AOD has strayed from this mission, and that by engaging in such a "hands-on" public relations/opinion campaign they essentially fired a "first shot." Hence, the self-inflicted damage label. I was not taking sides, instead I was offering observations on the situation. 

Interestingly, the AOD responded to my post, well not to my post specifically, but to the point I was making. In a press release yesterday they stated:

“The Archdiocese of Detroit has been consistent in its statements to and about Real Catholic TV since the fall of 2008. (Regarding RealCatholicTV.com) Due to continued requests made to the Detroit archdiocese for clarification concerning the use of the title Catholic by Real Catholic TV, and to avoid any confusion among the faithful, it was determined a public statement should make clear what has been told to Real Catholic TV, namely, that it does not have the authorization required under Church law to identify or promote itself as Catholic.”

This proves my point brilliantly. The need for this statement comes from people asking the question I posed in my first post on the matter, which is: "Why did the AOD feel the need to issue a press release to address this issue? Their answer, again in press release form, confirms our suspicion that they are fighting a PR battle here. "...to avoid any confusion amongst the faithful, it was determined a public statement should make clear... " Unfortunately, the AOD didn't take my advice in the first release, and they ignored it in their second one as well. They are making this a public issue to be determined in the court, or blogs, of public opinion. Which leads to the lingering question...

"What about the Elephants in the Living Room?"

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The "Elephants in the Living Room" group, discussed in by many over the last few weeks has been exactly what it sounds like: a giant elephant in the living room. Isn't this a double standard? Well, that elephant grew bigger, or maybe had a baby elephant join it.

LarryD's post regarding the publication of a "Baptism" story in the AOD Seminary Magazine paints a damaging picture of theology and Sacramental understanding amongst those in the AOD. Had they not issued the press releases regarding Voris, this story could be explained away 100 ways. But, now it sits as a big black eye on the face of the AOD.

Again, not taking sides here, just stating that once the AOD chose to take this to the "blogs" or "public" they are stuck playing the game by "house rules" and in the blogosphere the #1 rule is - you are stuck to the words you write or say until the end of time.

My Final Thoughts

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The AOD should meet with Voris ASAP. If they really want to wage this in public and don't want to lose all (public) credibility they need to fix this and fast. First thing - denounce ALL groups that are in any way heretical or heterodoxical, especially the Elephants. Second, retract the article referenced on Larry's blog, reform the author, editor, and get to the bottom of the situation - make all actions and findings PUBLIC (That's how they want to do things right?). Third, stop making "situations" happen out in the public. If it is a "problem" - solve it, and then issue a release. Go back to winning souls and not arguments. Finally, find a way to reconcile with Voris and RCTV. He is a better friend than an enemy, and would do much to promote many of the wonderful things that are occurring in Detroit.

Again, this should be about the truth and not public relations. The AOD was mistaken to think they should wage a PR battle in the blogosphere. Dr. Peters is more than likely spot on with his Canonical analysis, but again, the AOD seems more concerned with the public opinion than the Canonical implications. Voris and the AOD should be on the same side of this fight, denouncing groups like the Elephants, questioning the appropriateness of weird baptisms, and seeking truth. To have them opposing one another shows the dysfunction and disorder of the institutional Church.

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