Don't you think you're going a bit over the top and getting obsessive about all this? Yes it was a local paper hatchet job but it's not exactly the worst thing going on in the world at the moment. If Fr Ray is offended, and I believe he has good reason to be, then he should make a complaint to the Press Council or discuss his issues with the reporter / paper editor - or both. Then he can begin a dialogue to have the record put straight in the right manner by following due process. If Fr Ray won't taken any action then it's the end of the matter really. It doesn't need lawyers or legal fees, just to sit down (or ring up) and make a complaint.
It is rude to suggest Mr England is being "obsessive". Fr Blake's reputation has been dragged through the mud in national Media. Besides, as a parishioner of Fr Blake, Mr England has a special responsibility in the matter.
I think this 20th century update by Joan Baez of Donne's "No Man is an island" (Meditation XVII), and which refers right back to Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, might help you get the drift, Cecilia.
"No man is an island, No man stands alone, Each man's joy is joy to me, Each man's grief is my own.
"We need one another, So I will defend, Each man as my brother, Each man as my friend."
The song ends -
"When I help my brother, Then I know that I, Plant the seed of friendship, That will never die."
In defending a kind and generous man who has been wilfully traduced, you do not exclude all else. In fact, in defending one, you defend all.
Of course it's not the worst thing in the world, but it did get into the national press (Mail and Telegraph) and a hatchet job in your local newspaper can have important repercussions on the ministry of a parish priest. Moreover, some of the bloggers who are supporting this know Father Ray personally and others more distant (like myself) have developed an affection for him through reading his blog regularly. Wouldn't you stand up to give support to a friend or someone you admired who had been shamefully treated?
Cecilia - There are hundreds of thousands of people in Brighton so it is reasonable to think that tens of thousands have read that story and been scandalised. That story is one of many stumbling blocks put by the devil to stop people coming to the ark of salvation. Therefore it needs to be fought.
There might be worse things but I think it is asking too much of Bones to solve all the problems in the world.
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Don't you think you're going a bit over the top and getting obsessive about all this? Yes it was a local paper hatchet job but it's not exactly the worst thing going on in the world at the moment. If Fr Ray is offended, and I believe he has good reason to be, then he should make a complaint to the Press Council or discuss his issues with the reporter / paper editor - or both. Then he can begin a dialogue to have the record put straight in the right manner by following due process. If Fr Ray won't taken any action then it's the end of the matter really. It doesn't need lawyers or legal fees, just to sit down (or ring up) and make a complaint.
ReplyDeleteIt is rude to suggest Mr England is being "obsessive". Fr Blake's reputation has been dragged through the mud in national Media. Besides, as a parishioner of Fr Blake, Mr England has a special responsibility in the matter.
DeleteI think you should ask how you would feel if it happened to you.
ReplyDeleteI think this 20th century update by Joan Baez of Donne's "No Man is an island" (Meditation XVII), and which refers right back to Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, might help you get the drift, Cecilia.
ReplyDelete"No man is an island,
No man stands alone,
Each man's joy is joy to me,
Each man's grief is my own.
"We need one another,
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend."
The song ends -
"When I help my brother,
Then I know that I,
Plant the seed of friendship,
That will never die."
In defending a kind and generous man who has been wilfully traduced, you do not exclude all else. In fact, in defending one, you defend all.
@ Cecilia
ReplyDeleteOf course it's not the worst thing in the world, but it did get into the national press (Mail and Telegraph) and a hatchet job in your local newspaper can have important repercussions on the ministry of a parish priest. Moreover, some of the bloggers who are supporting this know Father Ray personally and others more distant (like myself) have developed an affection for him through reading his blog regularly. Wouldn't you stand up to give support to a friend or someone you admired who had been shamefully treated?
Cecilia - There are hundreds of thousands of people in Brighton so it is reasonable to think that tens of thousands have read that story and been scandalised. That story is one of many stumbling blocks put by the devil to stop people coming to the ark of salvation. Therefore it needs to be fought.
ReplyDeleteThere might be worse things but I think it is asking too much of Bones to solve all the problems in the world.
Jonathan
ReplyDeleteAs with all problems, Our Lady will solve it in her good time.