The Cafeteria is Now Open: We Need a New Daily Catholic News Blog
As most regular readers of the “Cafeteria is Closed” weblog realize, Gerald Augustinus has been, for quite some time, openly expressive of his defiance of the Church’s teachings regarding sexuality. This comes as little surprise, as Gerald is quite vapidly libertarian in his political outlook. Gerald started his blog just before Amy Welborn shut down her “Open Book” weblog. This left Gerald’s blog as perhaps the only weblog out there that kept a regular, daily discussion going on the headlines of the day, pertinent to all things Catholic.
Gerald picked up many of Amy’s readers. Of course, Gerald never really had anything of interest to say in substantive issues. It was just a good place for Catholics to congregate and discuss the headlines in a Catholic-friendly web environment. Lately, however, the atmosphere at the Cafeteria has become rather toxic. There is nothing of interest to see at his weblog. His opinions, which never were particularly well thought out, are now so emotivistically liberal in substance that the discussion there has become amenable to the presence of some rather unsavory characters. The weird, pseudo-intellectual, Spirit of Vatican II (Dennis O’Leary), has even found a home in some of the Cafeteria’s comment threads. So, it is clearly time to leave the Cafeteria behind. But where shall one find a weblog where the daily issues pertinent to the Church can be discussed?
We need an enterprising individual, with the time and the Catholic identity necessary, to create such a blog. But it isn’t easy. It takes a rather demanding daily effort. I don’t know how Amy did it for so long. We are unable to provide such a service at C-L-S, as we are all professionals. Our posts are necessarily sporadic, at best. Gerald is able to blog daily as he is, for all intents and purposes, a househusband. Still, it would be a wonderful service if someone, who is not a cafeteria type, were to provide such a forum. Or, is there already such a weblog, whose existence I am unaware of? Or, perhaps Amy could restart “Open Book?”
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Well Fr. Z pretty much comes the closest now and he has a gigantic readership that no doubt far outstrips Gerald’s. Though his is not the daily news blog for the most part and focuses on liturgy. Inside Catholic might be a successor to Open Book since it does cover so many of the daily stories, though more political then Amy’s blog. The two brothers at Creative Minority Report do a good cross-section of daily news pretty consistently. So they would be a good place to go instead of Gerald’s.
Comment by Jeff Miller — June 18, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
Thanks for the kind words. I was going to suggest Inside Catholic, myself.
Comment by amy — June 18, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Our blog covers daily news from a Traditional Catholic perspective.There are many fine Catholic blogs out there.I’m sure many would rise to that challenge.
Comment by Credo,Catholic Journal (Ireland) — June 18, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
My Miller counterpart is mostly correct. Problem is, I really can’t stand the liturgy war, and nothing makes me more bored than liturgy in general.
I haven’t caught anything from Gerald lately that makes me question his sexual ethic; have I missed something? Links would be great.
Comment by Josh Miller — June 18, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
Josh -
Here is a comment thread that I found disheartening and illustrates what Hierothee was talking about: http://www.haloscan.com/comments/geraldaugustinus/9026845156629718695/
By the way, I assume by your comment about the liturgy, you do not mean that you find the liturgy itself boring?
Comment by David — June 18, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
Thanks much, David! Reviewing his comments, I can see exactly what the (justified) fuss is all about.
Nope, I find the liturgy to be exactly what it is: a conduit leading to furthering unity with God, and an aid to contemplation. It’s invaluable, and I love it. But it’s not an end-in-itself, and it seems to me that most liturgical warriors right or left in the blogosphere make it out to be that way. Their incessant dronings positively bore me when I could be spending time with systematic theology, which is of much greater spiritual and intellectual benefit to me as a seminarian who already has a fairly decent understanding of the liturgy. I know my interests/tastes don’t apply to everyone, though.
Looking at my perceived vocation, I’d be in a world of hurt if I didn’t like the liturgy :-).
Comment by Josh Miller — June 18, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
How about American Papist? http://www.americanpapist.com. He keeps up with Catholic news articles daily - doesn’t put in a ton of his own commentary, but there are good conversations in the comment boxes.
Comment by Mary Catherine — June 18, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Josh - you are correct in saying that the liturgy mediates communion with God but I would ask if you really mean to suggest that it is just a means to an end? John Paul the Great taught, following the long tradition of the Church, that the liturgy is the Sacrifice of the Cross made present in which heaven touches earth. B16, in his pre-Papal work Spirit of the Liturgy and following Guardini, shows that the liturgy is much more than a means but the very entry of man into trinitarian life. It is the proleptic participation in the heavenly liturgy…the sacramental “already and not yet.” So in this sense, it would not be wrong to call the liturgy an end in itself.
If you have not read Spirit of the Liturgy, or even Scott Hahn’s popular work, The Lamb’s Supper, I would strongly encourage them. On the campus of your alma mater, we begin a school of theology ictsot.org) in the fall that takes the liturgy as the integrating element for all aspects of the theology which we teach. I certainly do encourage the study of systematic theology but without the liturgy it would simply remain a cognitive exercise.
I assume that what you are bored with is an argument over rubrics rather than liturgical theology proper? What I would suggest is that because of the ineffable importance of the liturgy for human life (temporal and eternal) the concern over its form (the rubrics) is not ill placed. By the way, which diocese are you studying for and which seminary are you in. I will keep your vocation in my prayers.
Comment by David — June 18, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
It looks like we are compiling a pretty nice list…perhaps we should take a vote about whom we would like to nominate as Amy’s successor now that Gerald has shown himself unfit.
Comment by David — June 18, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Hmmm…I was not aware of Inside Catholic. It looks good. Thomas’s site is good (American Papist), but he is not able to blog daily. As Jeff said, Fr. Z’s site is excellent, though narrowly focused. I’ll check out the Credo site. I am intrigued that it comes from Ireland.
Comment by hierothee — June 18, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
Hi again, David.
First off, are you affiliated with the new St. John’s Institute? If so.. THANK YOU. Had that been around when I was there, I think it might’ve saved me a lot of trouble :).
The theological implications of the liturgy interest me a great deal. Understanding why we do what we do is key. At my seminary (I’m studying for Joliet, and am entering my third year of theology at Mundelein), most of this kind of juicy stuff is covered in Sacramental Theology courses (even though we did read Ratzinger’s The Spirit of the Liturgy in one of two introductory liturgy courses). That’s the kind of thing I groove off of. And within this context, you’re right to stress the overall importance of the liturgy.
I’d submit, though, that the ultimate end of the spiritual life is simply union with God, a union made accessible through the sacraments. Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross - which we enter into through the liturgy - makes that unity possible in this life, in the “already and not yet.” Is it the end in itself, though? If it were, then there’d have to be sacraments in heaven. So, I don’t disagree with Guardini or Ratzinger when they say that, as you put it, liturgy is “the very entry of man into Trinitarian life.” The liturgy is like a doorway: we turn the knob, open, and step through to the other side. But no one with any sense ever opens a door simply to linger in its arch.
Not to extend the analogy too far, but we need good folks to build those doors and make sure they keep working properly. Liturgical experts like Fr. Z. are extremely important, and he does a good job of making sure that others can indeed make it through to the other side. No working doorway, no entrance.
But for me? Liturgical practice bores me to tears, while the philosophical aspect of systematic theology fills me with awe and hope. As I say to my friends: “I’d rather contemplate God than contemplate people contemplating God.” It’s just where my interest resides.
Saying a reverent, respectful Mass in accordance with the rubrics is extremely easy after practice. One of Fr. Z’s former classmates is actually the pastor where I’m interning, and he does it every day. It doesn’t take much to understand what appropriate music is, what kind of art is appropriate in places of worship and devotion, that liturgical dance is an abomination, and that we shouldn’t hold hands during the “Our Father.” No slight against the good Padre, but I quite simply don’t care what hat the pope wears (I actually think it looks ridiculous, red on white), and I don’t care if I as a seminarian can wear a biretta. It might interest some, and I do not doubt that it’s important (albeit in a minor way), but it strikes absolutely no chord with me. Extraordinary form? Love that it’s back for people who prefer it, but I don’t, and there’s no pastoral need in my diocese. These issues just don’t do anything for me.
That’s why I prefer blogs like this one, or Gerald’s, or Amy’s, because they tend to focus on a wider range of things that hold my interest.
In addition, much of what comes from those I call “liturgical warriors” is reactionary. “Look at how bad they’re screwing it up in L.A.!” Fair enough. They’re screwing it up in L.A. “Liturgical dance spotted here.” I hate liturgical dance also, and while it may be good for a laugh, all too often it ends in the wailing and gnashing of teeth, with folks declaring, “This is why the Church is going to hell in a handbasket!”
Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, none of this forces me to really think. None of it adds to my faith. It doesn’t inspire my prayer. If anything, it promotes a kind of negativism. Never once have I read one of Gerald’s posts on architectural abomination or some terrible “people’s altar” (whatever that means) and felt some sense of divine immediacy, a little jolt where I say, “Aha! I get it!,” feeling closer to God in that moment. But I get that with the posts at Disputations quite frequently, and I get a sense of mission when I think about how faith and politics/culture/art intersect.
Thanks much for your prayers! They’re invaluable, and I appreciate it.
Comment by Josh Miller — June 18, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
By the way, just got done reading all of the comments you linked to above.
It’s amazing how Gerald’s completely jumped the shark.
Comment by Josh Miller — June 18, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
I love you, too
Someone pointed me to this endearing post.
I’ll grant you ‘jumped the shark’, ‘heretic’, ‘heterodox’ and what not but, uh, house husband ? I have a big photo studio in our house, I don’t know if that makes one a house husband ? Not to mention that I spend 2-3 months a year in Europe and across the USA photographing. Blogging doesn’t take all that long. I multitask. Photoshop on the Mac Pro, blogging on the PC. Three monitors, good to go.
I find Fr. Dennis O’Leary’s input interesting, not that we’re in agreement on everything. I am more like Denis Leary though.
I completely understand that my view of homosexuality and gay rights upsets people who hold traditional views. It hasn’t affected the number of hits, but I can understand why one would not want to spend time reading my opinions in light of my support of legal recognition of, eg, my relatives’ union. I am sure it is a betrayal to many. It’s all good though. I can’t really blame anyone. The only thing that really irked me - and the reason why I spoke up to begin with - were horribly hostile, disgusted homophobic comments piling up. Not that opposition to gay union/marriage is necessarily hateful.
Once a baby is in the house, hopefully soon, a blog may well be too much even for a veteran multi-tasker like me.
Cheerio
Comment by Gerald Augustinus — June 19, 2008 @ 12:33 am
Well, I’ve had Gerald’s site on my Google Reader feed for quite some time now, and I’ve just been too lazy to remove it. I’ve come close a few times, and once or twice before the whole gay ‘marriage’ fiasco. His comments about relics on one not-too-far-in-the-past post really bothered me. Oh well. Now’s as good as time as any to not let my visits contribute to his “well, the hits haven’t gone done” argument. Consider me one less hit.
/unsubscribe
Comment by Rusty — June 19, 2008 @ 1:02 am
“gown down” rather. you get my point. Thanks for the post by the way, I’ll check out those other blogs.
Comment by Rusty — June 19, 2008 @ 1:03 am
oh bother
Comment by Rusty — June 19, 2008 @ 1:03 am
Yeah, describing Gerald as a house-husband perhaps doesn’t do it justice. One thing I know for a fact (from last summer’s LoTR:O fest) is that you’re nothing if not a busy man!
Comment by Josh Miller — June 19, 2008 @ 2:00 am
Josh -
Yes, I do work at St John Institute of Catholic Thought. Thanks for the info on yourself.
I appreciate the additional insights into your thinking, I guess I would not phrase it the way you initially did but I understand your thoughts.
Comment by David — June 19, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
The Ignatius Insight Blog (insight scoop) gives a good and intelligent presentation when it handles news stories.
The Cafeteria was one of the first blogs I ever read, and the first I ever left a comment on. Over the past two and one half years I have left (I am sure) well over a thousand comments there; but just yesterday I decided it was best to just leave off doing so.
Comment by dim bulb — June 19, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
Excellent, David! I hope things go well. You and the institute are in my prayers.
Dim Bulb makes a great suggestion, also. Carl over at Ignatius Insight is wonderful.
Comment by Josh Miller — June 19, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
I vote for Terry Nelson! http://terry58.stblogs.com/
Comment by doughboy — June 20, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
We need an enterprising individual, with the time and the Catholic identity necessary, to create such a blog. But it isn’t easy. It takes a rather demanding daily effort. I don’t know how Amy did it for so long.
Blogging in the style of Amy can be a full-time job (at least insofar as she put a lot of thought into her commentary). It was good while it lasted but I’m sympathetic to why she departed, howbeit her regular blog these days is still worth visiting.
Personally I’m more appreciative niche-blogging — there are blogs I turn to for commentary on liturgical matters (Fr. Z, New Liturgical Movement); for theology, philosophy and politics (Insight Scoop/Ignatius Insight, Michael Liccione, Scott Carson, DarwinCatholic) … Jay Anderson (ProEcclesia).
Creative Minority Report or InsideCatholic may be a good candidates, in both cases because they don’t rely on a single individual to do all the work.
Comment by Christopher — June 21, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Concerning the thread linking to Gerald’s blog:
After that thread, I now know what it feels like to beat my head against a brick wall.
Comment by LCB — June 22, 2008 @ 11:34 pm
LCB - I will not judge Gerald’s soul, but I have to admit in reading his rather solipsist responses the prophets’ warnings against the hardness of one’s hearts kept coming to mind. Thanks for trying with him anyway.
Comment by David — June 23, 2008 @ 9:11 am
David,
I appreciate the support. It was my intent to keep lurking his blog, waiting for another opportunity to engage in debate. However, with his recent posting of semi-pornographic pictures I’ll be removing him from my daily readings.
One of the main advantages both GA and Amy had was their format. Their blogs were very readable. Finding the new content was easy. So many of the proposed alternatives are simply difficult to read and navigate.
Comment by LCB — June 23, 2008 @ 1:38 pm