Just passing along press releases is not what I call journalism. Now that errant cat is out of the bag just as the PR firm knew it would be and once out, it's mighty damn hard to corral that cat again. Look at how they circulated that "Who am I to judge?" meme when the very next day it was pointed out that the quote had been widely circulated without the actual context, which pertained specifically to celibate, gay priests. How many fell for the story that the Pope was sneaking out of the Vatican at night to feed the homeless? The level of irresponsible journalism with regard to Francis is outrageous. Conversely, how many journalists have reported about the publication of the Pope's new book, which contains scathing comments about LGBTs? How about his recent, dismissive and offensive comments regarding the role of women in the church? How many have truly investigated what was going on in Argentina prior to his election?
On some level I can hold the desperate and hopeful parishioners minimally responsible for this travesty, if only for their role as apologists who insist on recirculating this carefully crafted sham even when confronted with the facts. They are personally invested in this fantasy Pope. But what of the media? What is their excuse? Make no mistake, I also hold the feet of the LGBT media to the fire and am still waiting not only for a retraction/apology from The Advocate but a published clarification from the HRC concerning their premature and inaccurate reports from the synod about LGBTs.
Indulging in the fantasy that the church has experienced some kind of seismic shift with regard to LGBTs is not only a lie but a dangerous one. While millions right here at home have become distracted by their trip through the make-believe land of smoke and mirrors, the USCCB has promised to double down on its efforts to persecute LGBTs (and women). Has even one lawsuit been withdrawn? Are LGBTs still getting fired from their jobs at Catholic-affiliated institutions? Has the flow of church money into anti-gay organizations and lobbying been cut off? Was Archbishop Cordileone discouraged from being a touted guest speaker at the "March for Marriage" organized by NOM, a recognized hate group? Can we name ONE THING that has changed? At each step of legal progress made for LGBT rights I have posted the response from the USCCB and I might as well have dropped them into a bottomless well. It's not like the media doesn't have the same resources I do -- the USCCB publishes each and every hateful screed right on their website.
Regarding the horrific (and spreading) anti-gay laws in many African nations, there were a number of LGBT DUers, bluenorthwest in particular who, even in the face of blistering personal attacks, kept posting about the church's involvement in the persecution of LGBTs in Nigeria and Uganda. Since the facts could not be refuted, some apologists expressed the hope & belief that Francis would recall these hatemongers or at the very least, instruct them to shut their mouths. Not only has this failed to materialize, the anti-gay laws of these countries are being touted as a model for the cancerous spread of LGBT persecution throughout Africa. These same bishops and archbishops at this moment can be found at the synod in discussions about the church and LGBTs.
I could go on, spurred by sheer frustration, but I'll call it in for this post.
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