End of Discussion
Scott Noto on Intolerable Dialogue at an Inclusive Blog
Last summer, the National Catholic Reporter, the self-described “independent Catholic weekly,” followed the lead of other news sources and launched its own blog called the NCR Conversation Café. The Café boasts that it “differs from formal news reporting, which the NCR newsweekly continues to offer subscribers, in that it provides a platform for actual dialogue.”
“Telcontar” is a young man of 23 years of age, currently discerning whether he has a call to the priesthood. Last August, he signed up to join the NCR Café. He contributed to many discussions, including two worth describing: one about the “ordination” of twelve women on a riverboat near Pittsburgh, and another titled “What do we need to believe to be a Roman Catholic?”
His is a small story, but perhaps illustrative.
Disgruntled Readers
On the topic of the riverboat “ordination,” one poster asserted, “Of course women should be priests. It’s congruent with the gospel, with what I know of the love of Christ. . . . Jesus’ message was about change. He changed all the rules. That’s why he was crucified. He wouldn’t follow the rules.”
Telcontar responded, “So the Good News, the great plan of God, is equal to the women’s ordination movement? I’d love to see a single Bible verse to back that one up? [ sic]” He then added, “Funny, the Apostles seemed to think [Jesus’ crucifixion] was for the forgiveness of sins, salvation, redemption, opening the gates of Heaven. Jesus’ message was not about change, but repentance.”
Telcontar received the following reply: “Some of us . . . are willing to read the Gospel and listen to what God has to say about current events. . . . God made us in our diversity. I can accept that. Can you?” And later, “You need to get out and read more widely” and “shake out the cobwebs.”
Some members were “disgruntled” with Telcontar’s repeated quoting of primary church sources, to which complaints he was forced to concede that he had “2,000 years of writing to catch up on.” Other posters, like Bella, agreed with Telcontar.
Some tried to offer solace to the disgruntled: “Do not be disgruntled,” wrote one. “They [Telcontar and Bella] speak for themselves and their interpretation of what the Church teaches.” Telcontar
is young and relies heavily on quoting documents that he has read. Bella’s words often show that her beliefs have been filtered through years of trying to understand the Church. Therefore, they both bring something to the party here. However, what they have to say shows their understanding of issues.
A Journal of Mere Christianity—Delivered to Your Door
- Essays on theology, culture, and the Church
- Contributors from across the Christian traditions
Six print issues (one year) of Touchstone, plus full online access and PDF downloads for only $39.95.
Get a one-year full-access subscription to the Touchstone online archives for only $19.95.
bulk subscriptions
Order Touchstone subscriptions in bulk and save $10 per sub! Each subscription includes 6 issues of Touchstone plus full online access to touchstonemag.com—including archives, videos, and pdf downloads of recent issues for only $29.95 each! Great for churches or study groups.
Transactions will be processed on a secure server.
more from the online archives
24.6—Nov/Dec 2011
Liberty, Conscience & Autonomy
How the Culture War of the Roaring Twenties Set the Stage for Today’s Catholic & Evangelical Alliance by Barry Hankins
30.5—Sept/Oct 2017
The Critical History Before, During & After Martin Luther by James Hitchcock
22.5—June 2009
C. S. Lewis on Civilization & the Natural Order by Timothy L. Hall
calling all readers
Please Donate
"There are magazines worth reading but few worth saving . . . Touchstone is just such a magazine."
—Alice von Hildebrand
"Here we do not concede one square millimeter of territory to falsehood, folly, contemporary sentimentality, or fashion. We speak the truth, and let God be our judge. . . . Touchstone is the one committedly Christian conservative journal."
—Anthony Esolen, Touchstone senior editor
