We somehow missed this “news report” when it first came out in response to the article about us in the Telegraph, but those who have been following us will no doubt find it as hilarious as we did.
As a pleasant departure from the norm this Catholic “news network” actually started by portraying a reasonably-accurate summary of our philosophy. We appreciate their highlighting that we don’t murder people and that challenging authoritarianism and injustice, acting with compassion and seeking knowledge are all very important to us.
Unsurprisingly they then pivot to explaining why these are all in fact terrible and shocking values to uphold. We do understand that they might be a little upset by our “elevating an anti-Christ, anti-God ideology” (which is, in fairness, true) and “promoting the work of the Devil himself” (debatable), but it’s strange to us that the quote from our website offends them so. Their key concern seems to be that we do all this without needing the promise of eternal salvation or the threat of damnation — but as we’ve said all along, if you need to be threatened into behaving morally, you aren’t really a good person. If that makes us “purveyors of a lie” then so be it!
“What can we do as Catholics, especially to help our young people?” Their priest suggests they start by repenting, as if that ever achieved anything worthwhile.
We have some alternative suggestions:
- dismantle your hierarchical systems of oppression;
- learn to love your queer or trans neighbours, instead of trying to debate their right to exist;
- take concrete steps to protect innocent children from vile abuse at the hands of your priests and leadership figures;
- take accountability for the sickening, disgraceful treatment of underprivileged and Native children, past and present, in your educational institutions;
- Charitable work is its own reward. Stop sending missionaries to perform “good deeds” with the ulterior motive of colonisation.
If the Catholic Church continues to follow its ancient, well-trodden path of bigotry and intolerance, they can expect their influence to further dwindle as newer generations see through their hypocrisy and false hope. We will not mourn its loss.
You can see the whole thing at the links below: