A lot of ink has been spilled over the past few months over “scandals(?)” with the Pope including (cue evil music) “The Holocaust Denying Bishop” and the “Great Condom Caper of 2009.” Much of the ink has been unsolicited advice to the Holy Father on how to modernize the Church, you know…make it relevant to people or risk extinction of the Church.
But here’s the thing. All those newspapers doling out advice. Guess what? They’re all going bankrupt and may cease to exist…like next week.
It seems that the Chicago Tribune, the Sun-Times have both declared bankruptcy along with the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. Ad revenue at USA Today fell 18.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the same period the previous year, according to Editor & Publisher. The New York Times is teetering on bankruptcy as well.
Taking advice from newspapers today would be like reading:
“How to be a Two-Term President” by George H.W. Bush
“How to Run a Winning Football Franchise” by Matt Millen
“Just Say No” by Michael Phelps
“Being Catholic Now” by Kerry Kennedy. (Oh wait. That one’s real. Sorry)
“How to Stand Strong to your Principles in a non-Primary Year” by Arlen Specter
So, not that I’m happy these newspapers are failing but maybe, in whatever form they might survive, they could learn a little humility in talking about the 2,000 year old institution called the Catholic Church.
Think it’ll happen?
April 2, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Not only would Matt Millen never write a book with that title, but he obviously never read one either.
As to the demise of the papers – I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to receive a stimulus of one sort of another. With all sorts of caveats attached to protect “free speech” and all that…(/sarc off)
April 2, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Maybe the New York Times will go bankrupt?
We can always hope.
April 2, 2009 at 11:10 pm
No one mocks God & gets away with it. There will be retribution here and/or hereafter. So, all those feminists who yell, "Get your Rosaries off my ovaries." can get other beads growing in there.
April 3, 2009 at 12:09 am
I like how you put that.
You would think 2,000 years of survival by not pandering to the advice of the heathen hordes would be a pretty convincing “back-off” warning.
Give themone thing though, these sin-blind idealogues are persistent in their futility.
April 3, 2009 at 1:29 am
“Think it’ll happen?”
When pigs fly.
April 3, 2009 at 1:46 am
Matt- I am delighted, deeeelighted, that the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune are failing. These were pro-abortion, anti-Catholic rags and Chicago will be better off without them.
They were besides, as most secular newspapers are, purveyors of, and evangelists for the most unspeakable filth.
A very jolly good riddance to them both, and may the Oregonian be not far behind!
April 3, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Humility and the press???
Hmmm…let me think about that one…
Not a chance!
April 3, 2009 at 1:15 pm
ROFL. Great point.