Dr. Peters remarks on Coon's contrition, NCReporter's omission

The opening of a new post by Dr. Ed Peters:

Norma Jean Coon, excommunication, reconciliation, and the National Catholic Reporter

I read with bemusement the National Catholic Reporter story on the recent reconciliation of Norma Jean Coon, the San Diego woman who was ‘ordained’ a deacon but has since repented of her actions. My reactions to the Coon case and NCRep’s story on it fall into three parts.

Fair Warning: You’re gonna think I’m making the first part up.

1. About a week and a half ago I was contacted by a writer for the NCRep and asked to respond to several questions on the Norma Jean Coon case. There followed the usual journalist “I’m on a tight deadline” plaint.

Now, the Coon case is obviously important, so I took time from a very busy schedule and prepared responses which I sent in promptly (within about 4 hours). I also offered to be available for any follow-up questions. And what happened?

Read the entire post on the "Light of the Law" blog.

Comments

[Mike in KC, MO]

Dr. Peters,

I read the points you made and they are very clear.

Which is why they were not printed in the NCR article.

You have to understand that the majority of the NCR readership, what little there is left, judging from the online comments, consists of elderly hippies whose minds appear to be compromised by a combination of Alzheimer's and crusted bong resin from their teenage years. Unless your statements are little more than saccharine soaked emotional pleading for whatever happens to be the latest 'progressive' fad, they won't understand what you're saying.

[Ed Peters]

I see that Mike, and largely agree with it. What I find, even now, after many years, disconcerting, is how nakedly NCRep ignores voices counter to it's own worldview. Most media, even among hard-left, make some show of "balance", even if a token balance. I just don't see that in NCRep and I wonder, do they really think no one will notice, or at least that no one will say anything? That just ain't the world today. Used to be everyone had an opinion, but few could publicize it. Now, the masses can. And will. fwiw.

[LJ]

Small slips like this suggest to me that Coon writes from the heart, and not from a canon lawyer’s notepad.

I noticed it at the time as well, but put it down to my own quick perusal and lack of training in canon law. Though we cannot know her heart as God does, your presumption, Ed, I think is exactly right.

Mike, is that "bong resin" something similar to the build-up on a roach-clip or the residue that ruins table knives? Just asking.

[Charles E Flynn]

The Curt Jester offers his unique perspective:

http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/2011/03/contacted-twice/

[mel]

Dr. Peters,

This will likely place you in the Catch 22 of; Next time the NCRep asks you to comment and you don't respond, you'll get the "Dr. Peter's declined to respond to our questions" line in the what ever article they are stumping. File under: "No good deed goes unpunished"

[Richard M]

Six years ago - in 2005 - the reported average age of NCR readers was 69 years old.

I'm not aware that NCR has updated that figure since, but there's suspicion that the number has crept even higher.

NCR is obviously aware that this is not a sustainable readership trend, and they have made some efforts to introduce younger voices on their site. But NCR has become, if anything, more hidebound, unwilling to modify in any way its dream of a very liberated Catholic Church - if anything more radicalized than in its Call to Action heyday - so deeply held by its aging leadership and readership.

Dr. Peters' sad experience with the NCR only confirms this terminal diagnosis.

[Ed Peters]

mel, you are doubtless correct. Oh well, I, my friends, my students, and God, will know better. Not a bad public, that. :)

[Ed Peters]

Oh, and the quiet life.

[Dale Price]

Yes, the Reporter has added younger writers, but they are indistinguishable from their elders in all but the headshots.

The "Young Voices" blog is devoted largely to gay rights issues (two contributors are lesbians), with women's ordination being a distant but still frequent second hobbyhorse. That kind of demographic "balance" doesn't bode well for a third generation of lefty Catholics.

[Alan]

The most annoying thing about NCRep is that they screen out comments pretty often. Maybe 25% of mine make it through. So I dont even bother anymore. They apparently have to protect their groupies and yes men from the truth.