September 25, 2013
Bill Donohue comments on media coverage of Pope Francis:
Every sentient human being knows about the published reflections that Pope
Francis offered last week on a variety of subjects. But few know about other
matters he recently addressed, and that is because the media are not happy with
his decisions. Here are four examples.
In a homily given on September 16, the pope said "a good Catholic meddles in politics."
In his published interview released September 19, the pope spoke against priests who are "too lax." By that he meant, "[T]he loose minister washes his hands by simply saying, 'This is not a sin,' or something like that."
On September 20, he denounced abortion as part of our "throwaway culture."
On September 21, one Australian newspaper reported that a heretical priest, Greg Reynolds, was excommunicated by the Vatican for his activism on behalf of women priests and gay marriage.
There was a virtual blackout on the pope's homily urging
Catholics to meddle in politics. Very few mentioned that in his well-publicized
interview he cited lax priests for denying the existence of sin. His comments
on abortion received some coverage, but not much: only ABC "World News
Tonight" mentioned it among the big broadcasters. Aside from a few
Catholic and gay blogs, news about the dissident Australian priest being
excommunicated received almost zero coverage.
Most of those who work in the elite media are pro-abortion and pro-gay
marriage. Not all are biased, but too many are. They have a vested ideological
interest in flagging stories about the pope that may gin up the left and
alienate conservatives; they also have a political interest in burying stories
that have the opposite effect.
The media need a Catholic whistle-blower for its papal coverage. We gladly
accept the invitation.