Theology of the Pull Quote: Bishop Barron’s Essay on World Youth Day and the Trend of Writing on Serious Religious and Moral Subjects
Bishop Robert Barron’s recent essay on World Youth Day has sparked controversy and raised concerns about a new trend in writing on religious and moral subjects. In his essay, Barron takes issue with Cardinal-designate Américo Aguiar’s approach to WYD, using decontextualized quotes to support his argument. This style of writing, which Turowsky calls “theology of the pull quote,” focuses more on supporting the author’s preferred themes than on fair analysis of the controversy at hand.
Turowsky points out that this trend is not unique to Barron and has historical roots, but social media and mass communication platforms have made it more prevalent. While Barron’s witty remarks may work well on platforms like Twitter and YouTube, they come off as flippant in a longer-form essay like this one. Turowsky urges writers to be mindful of the difference between this style of communication and the serious argument required for discussing Church affairs.
Overall, Barron’s essay serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing personal agendas over fair and charitable treatment of controversial topics. As the Church continues to navigate complex issues, it is essential for writers to approach discussions with integrity and a commitment to truth.