As we head into the final countdown to the pope's visit, reports of potential protests and "news" conferences abound from all the usual places -- women's ordination groups, gay rights groups, SNAP and more. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, to find this kind of activity going on. Well, not really, but when else can I use not one, but two references to Casablanca in a blog post. Truth is, these small clusters of disenfranchised folks will somehow wind up with the same quantity of media coverage as the throngs of thousands. We've seen it before, and we'll see it again.
Jesuit Father James Martin, blogging on the New York Times' A Papal Discussion, puts it succinctly:
"Unfortunately, many Catholics may hear Benedict only on the hot-button topics. “Christ is risen!” is a bold proclamation, but in many corners it may not be especially newsworthy, and so therefore not worth reporting. The Vicar of Christ may speak at length on the invitation to hope, and spend a few seconds on same-sex marriage, but the latter will inevitably get more play.
All the more reason to read the complete talks of Pope Benedict XVI, a teacher par excellence, rather than relying solely on soundbites and boiled-down commentary.
And find out for yourself what he is saying."
Amen.
-- Mary DeTurris Poust
DISQUS for OSV Daily Take
