The Terrible Decision to Close Catholic News Service: A Deeper Concern for the Nation’s Bishops
The decision by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to close down Catholic News Service has sparked controversy and concern among many in the Catholic community. The move, which was seen as a blow to the standards of Catholic journalism, has raised questions about the bishops’ commitment to providing reliable information and engaging with the wider society.
The closure of Catholic News Service, the only remaining wire service specifically focused on news about the Catholic Church in the United States, has left many bishops and commentators worried about the impact on the church’s ability to communicate effectively with the faithful and the public. Some bishops have expressed concerns about the lack of alternative sources of unbiased reporting, with Bishop Christopher Coyne of Burlington, Vermont, highlighting the anti-Francis rhetoric on the Catholic News Agency, a subsidiary of EWTN.
The decision to close down Catholic News Service was met with surprise by some bishops, who claim they were not fully informed about the extent of the closure during the executive session at their fall assembly in Baltimore. The lack of discussion and transparency surrounding the decision has raised further questions about the bishops’ commitment to civic engagement and providing reliable information to the public.
The closure of Catholic News Service has also highlighted a deeper issue within the U.S. Catholic Church, with many bishops focusing more on internal matters and fundraising than engaging with the wider society. The lack of effective civic engagement has left the bishops ill-equipped to address pressing social issues, such as the recent racist terror attack in Buffalo.
In contrast to the bishops’ tepid response to the attack, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich’s forceful denunciation of racism and lax gun laws demonstrates the importance of engaging with the culture and society on a regular basis. Cupich’s statement serves as a reminder of the need for bishops to actively participate in public discourse and advocate for social justice issues.
The closure of Catholic News Service has underscored the importance of reliable news in building a vibrant culture and promoting civic engagement. The move to shut down the wire service has been criticized as a short-sighted decision that undermines the bishops’ ability to effectively communicate with the faithful and the wider public. Many are calling for the decision to be rescinded in order to uphold the standards of Catholic journalism and ensure the church’s continued engagement with the society.