When I asked John L Allen, the American Catholic commentator on the Vatican, why its media strategy was failing, he responded:
“As soon as I see that they have a strategy, I will answer you! The fact is, they don’t have one, and that is where they are going wrong.”
Indeed, the absence of a coherent media strategy is evident, as a variety of Vatican personalities take it upon themselves to respond publicly to the accusations.
Which is because they are not a corporation but a church, a group of Christian priests whose task is not media relations
rugbyplayingpriest: yep, just a bunch of nice christian men wearing black (or brown) and praying and chanting — I’ve got some swampland in florida, a bridge in NYC and ocean-front-property in Arizona for sale too.
#2: Reductio ad absurdum. Pointing out that a church doesn’t sees its mission in terms of media relations is not the same as forgiving or explaining away the sins of the clergy.
Sloppy thinking like this is part of the problem.
A quick Internet search reveals that there are several Catholic colleges (some Jesuit) that offer majors in advertising, media, or public relations.
#3 — If it is part of the problem, it just a very small part. The ACTUAL problem is a failure of the leadership of the Catholic Church to act with a humble and contrite heart. Part of which means public expressions of forgiveness. And due to the size of the sin involved and the fact that we are in the 21st century, much media will need to be used.
So my point is — that the Catholic church isn’t JUST a group of Priests (that sounds so quaint); it is an institution, a government and a bureaucracy who is not afraid to use the media as a bully-pulpit on issues that is strongly believes in (and rightly so). Apparently, it does not believe strongly enough in protecting children and seeking forgiveness when it has sinned.
If thinking like mine is part of the problem; we’ll we are looking at the wrong problem.
In an age of pseudo apologies it may be difficult to find the real thing. But your contention that the Church (I include the US Bishops in this) has not apologized is an erroneous one. They have apologized both in word and more importantly by setting up procedures to protect children and prevent more abuse. Will abuse still happen? Yes because like any prevention program it can not fully find out potential abusers who have not yet been on anyone’s radar. And because predators are very clever.
To write that the Church does not believe strongly enough in protecting children is to show ignorance of policies and procedures adopted to do just that. But such facts would not serve your purpse would they?
#5: The story is about the Catholic Church not having a media strategy. #1 contends that the Catholic Church doesn’t have a media strategy because it’s a church and not a corporation. You, in turn, took #1’s comment and said, “Yep. Just a bunch of guys in black chanting,” as though that has anything to do with the point of either the article or #1’s response to it.
This is muddy thinking. Not every problem the Catholic Church has can be chalked up to pedophile priests.
#7 — I do apologize that I let sarcasm color the tone of my response. I *tried* to say, not rather wall, that by defining an organization as a church (or The Church) doesn’t preclude it from having a media strategy. Many churches do, and indeed the Catholic Church does. The Catholic Church isn’t just a “group of priests” (as presented in #1) it is an institution, a corporation, a government / nation-state and a body of believers. Therefore, the argument presented in #1 lacks merit, IMHO.
#6 — I’m not exactly sure what my purpose is in this, let alone how to serve them — apparently you know better than I. (sorry elves)
No, I am not a Catholic, nor do I have any desire to see the Catholic Church fail in her mission. I do, as a Christian, believe that the leadership has not done enough. I am not alone in my viewpoint. See today’s (4-16-10) Peggy Noonan article in the WSJ for a fellow Catholic’s view that also believes the Church’s leadership has failed. Part of that failure stems from not publicly (through media) presenting a humble and contrite response to these matters.
#6, I know you disagree on these matters –that’s ok. But the reality is that the Church will not be able to move past this crisis until something more (stronger, more unified and more humbly) is done. And since this is 2010, a better media stragegy will have to be utilized. And Catholic Church is not above haveing a media strategy.
If this is still muddy thinking, may I propose that I see through glass darkly; and I’m not trying to cause more harm or add to the problems. I hope we can charitably disagree and still seek the truth.
Stevejax, The last part of my reply was unneccessary and I can only blame the fatigue of unrelenting attacks the Church has undergone by the media pundits. I do not include you in this and I let my feelings about the former color my response to you. I apologize.
#8: Thanks for clearing that up. I appreciate your candor (and your willingness to be challenged by a cranky Critical Thinking professor).
Peace be with you.