National Catholic Reporter Trying To Influence Papal Conclave?

The Italian press has been very interested in Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM CAP, Archbishop of Boston, as a viable papal candidate.  It was John Allen of National Catholic Reporter who brought this to our attention on this side of the pond.  The national networks then picked up the story and ran with it. 

Things have quieted down, now that Pope Emeritus Benedict is safely ensconced in Castel Gandolfo.  The cardinals have yet to have their first meeting as a body, to set the date for the conclave.  Now while I was browsing through NCR’s website, what caught my eye was the picture of Cardinal Sean on the homepage.  The story was about his address at the 2013 National Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, in Washington DC.  Most of the posting was about the participants at the gathering, and covering the main points of his address.  Now I find it curious that on the week Cardinal Sean is in Rome with his fellow cardinals, to plan the election of the next Pope, NCR posts a story about the Cardinal speaking about Christian discipleship, missionary work, and social justice!  Just a coincidence or an attempt by NCR to influence the conclave?  Hmmmm?

Is the Gospel Message on the Web "Sticky" Or "Bouncy?"

I daily check out America magazine’s website; I find it very interesting and informative. Today, I came across an article by Father James Martin, SJ, based on an address he gave at the Diocese of Brooklyn celebration of the 2010 World Communications Day. He examines the status of the Catholic Church’s use of digital communications, where is the Church in the world of the Internet.

There are hundreds of websites out there, established by various Church organizations, and individual Catholics. Some of them are very good; the Vatican, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Archdiocese of Boston, which includes Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s own blog. There are many well constructed blogs created by individuals, many of whom are listed on my blog roll.

The biggest fear that many Catholic leaders have is that the Church is not reaching young digital savvy persons. The Web, if used well, can be a means of reaching out to the young, but it must be done in such a way that it addresses the spiritual needs and concerns of these persons. Finally, what is written on the Web, it must to be lived in the real world.

So will what the Church preaches electronically be “sticky” or “bouncy.”