That TONE

Bishop Zavala

Mark Pattison writes in CNS about the  bloggers' role in relationship with the church.  The bishops often are the publishers of diocesan newspapers, and other media outlets, and as such are concerned over the tone/behavior of some bloggers.

  The Webinar (Faithful Catholic Media: Continuing the Conversation) was held July 28 and sponsored by the Catholic Press Association.  Naturally, the bishops are concerned about the influence some bloggers (not I) have on the faithful.  The chairman of the Communications Committe, Bishop Gabino Zavala, LA, focused on 3 aspects that make blogging unique:

*   Catholic perspective to events

*   Respectful and civil (Not like the secular media)

*   Input for Church leaders

The one that was most disturbing was the second concern: "Christian respect".  Some bloggers attack church leadership, in a less than "civil and respectful" manner.  

You know what I think the problem is?  The problem is two-fold: the impersonal nature of the written word (blog/email/letter/newspaper...), and TONE.   Since I enjoy writing and sending out letters and emails as soon as a thought enters my head, I know very well the problems that can arise, from the written word.  I have people that hate me, distrust me, have not allowed me to join their whatever, and think I'm a kook, (and they never read my blog ;-/ ).  All because I wrote something that came from the fingers--certainly not my head, and more certainly, not my heart.  Some people won't give you a break.  And those "some" call themselves Christians.  Geeesh!  If only, these (too easily) offended people were there in front of me when I wrote, we could have discussed the issue.  If they could have seen my body language.  If we could have had a verbal "give and take." 


 And then some people don't get satire.

The second issue, TONE, can be a problem.  I remember when I was teaching, some parents complained to me about the TONE I used in reprimanding their child.  It was the way I said, "Stop it!", that bothered them.  Seriously.  They objected to my tone.  

I guess they wanted me to say in a kind and sweet voice, "I really wish you wouldn't exhibit that behavior."

You think I'm kidding?        Well, think again.    

Anyway, back to blogging.  Some bloggers (not I) have that TONE.  The bishops want them to be civil and respectful.  The media, and especially bloggers, should tell errant priests and bishops that "they really wish they wouldn't exhibit that behavior."

OK.  I'll dislodge my tongue from my cheek.

It is the TONE, that the bishops are concerned about.  The words some of us use are perceived as disrespectful and judgmental.  I know what they're saying.  It's the TONE that hurts them.  

We Catholic bloggers should be different from the secular bloggers.  Readers should know us by our love.  

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for another.  

And I know the bloggers that have that TONE, will say that they do love, that's why they are calling attention to sins that should be corrected; but can readers perceive the love?  There is a need (Lord knows!) to point out sin, but the TONE has to show that you're Christian.  


Think before you write.  Pray before you think.

Interfaith Dialogue

Mother Teresa once said that listening is the beginning of prayer. If that is true, then my "cloistered brothers" and I spent the afternoon praying. We faith shared.
Before our meeting we were told to bring a prayer with us. We Catholics also had read the Letter to Presidents of Bishops' Conferences on the Spirituality of Dialogue, 1999, in preparation for this meeting. We began by trying to sit next to someone of a different faith. This was hard to do, since there was an over abundance of Catholics. But we managed to make ten groups, and each group had a least one member of another faith.

For some reason, Protestants don't come to this. No one is sure why. It seems that they're always arguing among themselves. But they're always invited.

The Jews never come. Some said it's because they don't encourage interfaith dialogue. They don't actively seek converts, so they don't seek opportunities to share their faith. I don't know. But we always invite them, too.

And the strangest, but most wonderful thing happened. The Wiccan High Priest who came to our first interfaith dialogue, has converted. It seems that he went to a Cursillo a few weeks ago, and was zapped by the Holy Spirit. Yeah, my jaw dropped, too.

Anyway, the meeting began with the groups sharing our prayers. In explaining why we chose that certain prayer, we were explaining our faith. Questions were asked to understand, and this helped to open up the conversation. It went very well. Everyone was so kind and friendly to each other.

After a while, the ten small groups went back to their big circles and one spokesperson from each group shared what went on. One enlightened questioned was asked about the Muslim saying that we were created to submit to God. I didn't think anything wrong with this, but a discussion arose. I was thinking of the catechism question, "Why did God make us?" The answer, "God made us to love and serve Him." Isn't serve and submit the same?

So we had a majority of Catholics, then a few Muslims, and only two Buddhists. But it was enough to make the dialogue meaningful.

"Sam'i Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You). --part of Islamic daily prayer

Interfaith Dialogue

My Chapter is hosting an Interfaith Dialogue, next week. I'm reading the Letter to Presidents of Bishops' Conferences on the Spirituality of Dialogue, to prepare. It was written by Cardinal Francis Arinze in 1999. So it's ten years old. I still think it's apropos.

The Cardinal tells us that meetings with others of different faiths is demanded by our own faith. We should be engaged in interreligious dialogue. The Trinity is an example of this. The relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one of love and communion and is the "eminent model for human relations and the foundation of dialogue."

The Cardinal's words remind me of Sunday's Gospel: John 17:20-26. We should all be One in Christ. We are a community of believers. The main theme of that Gospel is that those who follow Jesus should be one, one with him and the Father and one with each other.

May God be with us.