That you would link to Patheos only shows you are not someone to be taken seriously.” And again: “Patheos Catholic is anything but. And that’s what you linked to. Dave Armstrong is no exception.” He has also referred to “the Patheos ‘Catholic’ crowd” (9-18-19) Steve Skojec
If you have a friend who is either considering or in the process of converting to the Catholic faith then by whatever means necessary do not let them near the Patheos blogs. It’s filled with some of the most misinformed Catholics you can find all under the banner of being Catholic.- FB Catholic
“Oh, you write for Patheos? Well, *that* explains everything!” Another FB Catholic
Dear and Mr. Skojec and FB Catholics,
It’s never good to paint anything in a broad brush, especially when you are incorrect. Although I have found some posts in Patheos Catholic disagreeable, I find a lot of the writing a great source of refreshing and edifying Catholic content.
Patheos Catholics writing on the site are not misinformed by highly educated Catholics who like Mr. Skojec want to share, express and write about their faith. I think if you get rid of your prejudices and give writers the benefit of the doubt you might find some good Catholic content.
“Beware of condemning any man’s action. Consider your neighbor’s intention, which is often honest and innocent, even though his act seems bad in outward appearance. ”—St. Ignatius Loyola
Patheos Catholic CEO and Leader explains it well….
Unlike the bulk of Catholic media platforms that are driven by a single ideological focus, Patheos Catholic is able to provide our readers with an array of perspectives, not just with pieces that have been vetted to suit a specific agenda. Yes, some of our writers have a decided ideological slant, as many of you have probably noticed. I myself am responsible for producing some of the more radically leftist material to be found under our wide umbrella. But each writer’s slant is her own. If you read and dislike an article of mine, what you dislike is not “Patheos Catholic” but “Rebecca Bratten Weiss.” And chances are, if you spend time looking at our different columnists, you will find one who better suits your tastes.
What you will not find, however, is an echo chamber. At a time when ideological bubbles are becoming increasingly impermeable, Patheos Catholic is committed to remaining a “free speech zone,” within the bounds of journalistic responsibility, and beneath the broad aegis of “Catholic identity.”
But insofar as Patheos Catholic represents “catholicity” in a broad, genuine sense, I want to make sure that we are abiding by the revelations at the heart of our faith. First, the revelation that Truth is not a dogma, but a Person. Secondly, that this Person, both divine and human, manifests the presence of infinite love in the midst of the scandal and bitterness of human history. Thirdly, that this Person remains present to all the world not only in the sacrament received by baptized communicants, but in every living being bearing the divine image. “Whatever you have done to the least of these, this you have done to me.”
Pax et bonum,
Rebecca Bratten Weiss Catholic Readers: Pondering Our Identity In A Time Of Crisis (September 3, 2018) The Font Where Many Catholics Dip @ Patheos Catholic
René Albert chimes in…
We at Patheos Catholic are a diverse group of thinkers, much like the many members that make up the Body of Christ. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” We all contribute to the evangelism of the Church through our writing in the best of our creative abilities, whether it’s apologetics, political commentary, prayerful reflection or theological musings. Many of them, like yourselves, are passionate defenders of orthodoxy – including myself. I highly recommend the works of Dave Armstrong, Joanna Wahlund, Fr. Matthew P. Schneider and Fr. Dwight Longenecker whose articles are available at your leisure.
René Albert An Open Letter to Church Militant (March 14, 2019) Coffee & Crucifix @ Patheos Catholic
Last I looked there were 91 different blogs currently hosted on Catholic Patheos. This is not counting all the blogs that have previously been on the site.
Here is what some other’s have said…
*Patheos is a useful model for Catholic bloggers in the new “agora”.
Terry Nelson Thank you Pope. (Thursday, January 24, 2013) Abbey Roads
If Patheos Catholic writers look they can find some really good content in your writing and on your website.
There is no reason for this type of discussion to exist below.
Patheos Cathoic: You know who makes ad hominem arguments? Ugly people, that’s who!
1PeterFive Catholic: No, your FACE is an ad hominem fallacy.
Just look what you and Mark Shea have in common…
Our culture has almost no place left where matters of philosophy and theology can be discussed freely in the public square. It’s out of court in politics, it does not sell beer and shampoo on television, our Chattering Classes are so ignorant of the most elementary points of both that the less said the better on almost any talk show you could name. But in the countless worlds of science fiction and fantasy, there is still limitless room for a talented Catholic writer to spin a yarn and proclaim the gospel thereby. God send more gifted apostles to this new Areopagus!
Mark Shea Science Fiction/Fantasy and the Areopagus (May 14, 2009) catholicexchange.com
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked up at the stars in the night sky and wondered, what if…
And really, I think that the larger reason why science fiction has endured for me as a lifelong passion is that it embodies the one thing that makes stories utterly compelling: the thrill, and often the fear, of the unknown. Not knowing what’s out there, how dangerous it is, how inevitable it is, is an utterly terrifying concept that is uniquely exciting.
It’s like standing outside in a particularly powerful storm and wondering just how much destructive power it will bring to bear.
Steve Skojec SciFi & The Thrill of the Unknown in Storytelling (Jul 24, 2019) steveskojec.com
On 1-31-20, he sent me a letter seeking further friendly dialogue and stating that he was “interested in trying to cut through the lack of charity that is dividing faithful Catholics right now” by means of “just a good conversation among brothers.” I responded by writing, “I think it’s a great and commendable idea . . . [to] simply talk like mature adults, minus all the silly insults.” We decided to write articles back and forth: much as we already have. The ones on his end would be published either at One Peter Five or his own website. He wrote:
I’d like to focus the discussion on the issues that have created the divide between “Trads” and “conservatives”, mainly Vatican II and the New Mass.
Dave Armstrong Dialogue w 1P5 Writer Timothy Flanders: Introduction (February 1, 2020) ) Biblical Evidence for Catholicism @ Patheos Catholic
For days, the film and the epistle swirled simultaneously through my mind, while sudsing down dishes and babies or folding laundry. The scene that stands out the most is of a grown daughter extending mercy to her dad, one who had failed her countless times in the most basic of ways but whom she cherishes nonetheless. It’s a scene synonymous with the film’s message, which happens to be St. Paul’s timeless treatise as well: The greatest of these is love, because it is.
Sarah Johnson Watching the Glass Castle With St. Paul (August 25, 2017) Backstage Pass (Patheos) Inside the Movie and Music News
My boys carried their banner of the Child in the March for Life. When they returned home, they hung it on our living room wall in a spot that competes with the computer screen. It’s a breathtaking painting. I researched the artist but could only find “Italian / Unknown.” And now this “Italian / Unknown” is among a handful of sojourners I hope to meet in heaven. Will he be skinny and slumped with the strong smell of oil paint on his skin? Will he tell me his model was his grandson, who had the face of an angel?Sarah Johnson Thy Kingdom Come: Reflecting on What Really Matters (February 2, 2017) OnePeterFive
I am beginning to wonder now if the story of Robin Hood actually helped me make sense of the story of Jesus Christ, or indeed simply brought it more deeply into perspective for me. Because Robin, in a most inverse way, was still living out the Gospel by filling the hungry with good things and sending the rich away empty and was laying down his life in the process.
Avellina Balestri, Growing Up with Disney’s “Robin Hood” (April 15, 2020) Longbows & Rosary Beads @ Patheos Catholic
There is more to Christmas than just Christ’s birth. It serves as the beginning of an epic, and Advent is the prologue whereby we prepare for the first spellbinding chapter. There’s a thread running through Christmas that ties into so many other Christological elements, including Christ as Divine Lover, in concert with the poetry of St. John of the Cross, whose feast aptly coincides with the Advent season on December 14.
But I feel that this depth and dimension often gets overlooked in the over-sentimentalized secular seasonal hype. It is a 3-D sort of depth, set against the backdrop of darkness and death and a frozen landscape. It is brittle bleakness in the bleak midwinter, bearing up against the frosty wind, iron ground, and stone water. The elements have given up their ghosts and seem to be suspended in a state of waiting – waiting for the light, the breath, the rush of some solitary stirring that speaks of life’s return.
Avellina Balestri And Thy Word Broke Their Swords: The Empowering Depth and Dimension of Christmas (December 19, 2016) OnePeterFive
Ms. Balestri is the best example of how a Catholic writer can fit into both worlds. She is such an enjoyable human being.
As I said before, I don’t agree with everything my fellow writers write. Some of it, is ripe for debate and critique, but I wouldn’t go far as to say their not Catholic or to insult them in anyway. Were supposed to change hearts and minds by being salt and light.
I would advise my fellow Patheos writers not to ascribe you as not Catholic either. Some could be a little nicer to you as well. Remember…
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. By this, you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head. Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.
Romans 12: 20-21
I think you have some very wonderful writing that really touches on some deep spirituality. I wish you would drop the whole angry Catholic shtick and concentrate on drawing in people by the good, the true and the beautiful which you are fully capable of doing.
Write less with an attitude of this…
I don’t want to argue with people on this website, but I can’t just let them keep being wrong, either.
Steve Skojec (Aug 18, 2019) Twitter
And more with an attitude of this…
I do believe that those of us who have been drawn to the majesty and solemnity of the ancient liturgy have a pearl of great price that should make us excited to be Catholic, and to share the goodness we’ve found with others. We should be happy at Mass, friendly to our fellow parishioners, welcoming to those who are new, and understanding to those who don’t yet see why we make so much effort to be a part of something so outside the norm.
Condemnations, judgments, specious arguments, and morose dispositions do no favors for our cause, or its future. We’ve got something great going on, and it’s about time we acted like it.
Steve Skojec They Will Know We Are Traddies by Our Love (October 4, 2010)
Not sure if you’ll ever see this. Or if you would even care. You might just insult me.
Or maybe God will use this to soften your heart.
Anyway, let’s love one another.
Thanks, for the work you do.
Sincerely,
The CatholicBard
P.S.
Look for a follow up post with some examples of good writing on catholic topics from writers from both sites. Finally Imagine This…
In what’s bound to shake the Catholic blogosphere to its foundations, OnePeterFive founder and executive director Steve Skojec announced this morning he is moving his popular site to the Patheos Catholic Portal.
“After months of careful deliberation, I have accepted an offer extended by Sam Rocha, editor of Patheos Catholic, to have 1Peter5 hosted at the world’s largest religious website. I am excited about expanding 1P5’s reach. I look forward to joining his well-established team of talented writers. I’m humbled that my little ol’ blog is considered worthy to be published along side such luminaries as The Divine Wedgie, Jappers and Janglers, and Daffey Thoughts.
“I’m sure many of my readers will be surprised by this move,” he continued, “but they’re ultra-faithful followers, totally dedicated to my cause, and they will continue to read me. You will read 1Peter5.”
-Catholic Conspiracy (April Fools Joke)
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