Dear Friends
By 8am Monday morning we had received over 400 requests.
On Wednesday 13 April we will close the application process and sort out requests into categories of language, geography, typology etc. and where necessary we will draw lots to make the final selection.
On Saturday a list of participants will be posted on www.pccs.va We are heartened by the widespread interest, and ask you all to be patient with this effort to increase dialogue with the blogging community, and also to support us with your prayers.
Richard Rouse & Ariel Beramendi
Richard Rouse spoke to Vatican Radio the other day, saying,
"One of the things we are a little bit aware of is that sometimes the Catholic blogosphere can become a bit of a ghetto…rather than engaging in the world outside."
When asked if he thought there are risks associated with such an initiative, Dr. Rouse said he knew the meeting could be different than others hosted at the Vatican.
“Certainly we are aware that a blog meeting can sometimes be a blog-fest and sometimes it can be a blog-fight,” he said. “We are aware of that, but our intention here…is to start to engage in a first step with Catholic bloggers. Further on down the line, I’m sure we will be able to articulate a more fulsome pastoral response to the reality, but first steps at a time.”
Discuss...
"One of the things we are a little bit aware of is that sometimes the Catholic blogosphere can become a bit of a ghetto…rather than engaging in the world outside."
ReplyDeleteSTOP ALREADY!!! This stupid, false refrain about not engaging the outside world was not merely tired, it was EXHAUSTED fifty years ago when it supposedly explained what the Church was supposedly trying to do at Vatican II.
I had considered in a 3/4 serious way of applying on behalf of NLM, but I am now convinced I was right not to bother. I'll be buying you a pint, my dear, for planning the gathering of people who actually have something to say.
Ah, yes. A more "fulsome pastoral response." Don't we have more than enough pastoral "fulsomeness" already?
ReplyDelete--Sacerdos Sine Nomine
I think they have something to say too. They're just saying it in Vaticanese.
ReplyDeleteWe, on the other hand, will be saying it in un-nuanced Blogger, which rarely leaves room for doubt.
we will be able to articulate a more fulsome pastoral response to the reality
ReplyDeleteUnintentional irony alert.
Romulus
I don't get the "ghetto" part. Catholics' blogs link to all kinds of stuff--MSM articles, Catholic MSM articles, all kinds of news from all over the world, cool artwork, fashion blogs--you name it. Of course, being by Catholics, the commentary is going to include a very Catholic POV.
ReplyDelete@SS: ditto on the confusion regarding the ghetto. The thing which is very obvious about blogs is that people are reading them. Lots of people are reading them.
ReplyDeleteMy theory on this is that people are so starved of spiritual nourishment that they quickly flock to anything genuine.
I started to write something longer, but I think I might just post on it...
"One of the things we are a little bit aware of is that sometimes the Catholic blogosphere can become a bit of a ghetto…rather than engaging in the world outside."
ReplyDeleteOf course, Catholic bloggers focus on Catholic issues. Just as, shockingly, chess blogs focus on chess and finance blogs focus on finance.
So what's the guy on about?
Perhaps he's upset that bloggers aren't "mainstream", ie don't regurgitate the party line emanating from the Vatican and local bishops.
Hey, Hilary, you think he's actually trying to say something. Then can you tell us what it is?
Done it. I think it's the longest one I've ever written which isn't about football: http://smeatonscorner.blogspot.com/2011/04/church-of-beacon-points.html
ReplyDelete