I usually have Chicago's Mighty 89 - WLS AM on the radio during the day, when I'm not playing music. They have the big national hosts, but also some local talkers that keep me in touch with the Chicago scene. In the afternoon Roe Conn and Richard Roeper are on the air, with a show that has gone through several incarnations over the years. Conn has had a change of co-host at least once, and now he's teamed with the Sun-Times film critic. They do cover heavy news, speaking with serious guests when necessary, but it's played for laughs most of the time. I like the show; not overly political and irreverently funny without going into shock territory. At 3 O'Clock Ron Magers, the local ABC TV anchor comes on to give a preview of the 6 O'Clock report. What did he talk about today? The Synod of Bishops, of course.
But Mr. Magers and his hosts had no idea what a synod was, which was made clear by their inability to articulately describe what the bishops were doing in Rome. In fact Magers called it a conclave, which made me groan. Then he proceeded to talk about a married couple from Australia who spoke to the synod, talking about the need to be welcoming to gay and divorced Catholics, and how ground breaking this was. Not only that, but they actually said that sex was important to married life, and intrinsic to it's sacramentality. What a revolution, they proclaimed. The three spoke kindly of the Church for it's longevity, and Roe Conn, using imprecise language, hit upon the fact that the Catholic Church has lasted this long because it's stayed true to it's beliefs. But of course, something would have to change now.
My initial response was frustration at how ill prepared Ron Magers, and really all three of them were, to speak about the synod, or Church matters in general. It's clear that they don't now the difference between liturgy, doctrine and canon law, or what Pope Emeritus Benedict's baptismal name is, or the job he held before becoming pope. They would never talk about state politics without knowing who the governor or speaker of the house are, or a little about their job history that might impact on what's going on now. But they'll dive into matters of the Catholic Church with ignorant abandon. These are three intelligent men, who have a pretty good grasp on what's going on in the world, but knew bupkis about the Catholic Church; and not being Catholics isn't an excuse. If they're going to bring it up, be ready to talk about it.
After I thought about it, taking into account their good will, I was happy that they at least they thought that the synod was important enough to comment on. I can't blame them for being unaware of John Paul II's theology of the body, or his other writings on human sexuality. He shocked people in the early 60's when he wrote that husbands need to be attentive to their wives' sexual satisfaction lest sex becomes a selfish act and wives view it as a chore. Or the long standing belief of many theologians (including a non theologian like myself) that the Sacrament of Matrimony isn't really contracted until it's consummated on the wedding night. I can't blame them for thinking priests and bishops are all a bunch of kill joy prudes, because some of us do come off that way, even ones who really aren't.
In fairness that the bishops are being addressed by married couples in synod is something new, and important. And Ron Magers is right, this open and frank dialogue is exactly what the Pope wants. Some bishops are out of sorts about the topics being covered, and some of the deliberations being conducted, as the trio suggested. But Francis doesn't care.
So I'll put up with the errors and malapropisms. At least they're talking about the Synod of Bishops in the MSM. But guys, I doubt that you'll read this, but if you're going to start throwing terms like "liturgy" or "canon law" around, know what they are. And Pope Emeritus Benedict's baptismal name is Josef Ratzinger. You'd do your homework if you were going to discuss ISIS or Pat Quinn's election chances. Give the same consideration to religious topics. I don't want to discourage you, though, and you know that I'll be listening tomorrow afternoon.
No comments:
Post a Comment