The Brian Saint-Paul/Michael Rose Debate

Dear Catholic Exchange:

I was distressed you saw fit to run the Brian Saint-Paul article that appeared in Crisis Magazine without running Michael Rose's rebuttal on the same day. Review of this article was the major subject of the New Oxford Review for this month, and the editors managed to print both sides of the story in the same issue. If the low-tech portion of Catholic media can manage this courtesy, surely the paperless end can do the same. My concern with your two-day feature is that a reader might form his opinion on the basis of one article and not bother to check back the next day. In the interest of fairness, please make both sides of highly controversial subjects available on the same day. I cannot continue to support a website that does not. Thank you for your consideration.

In His Heart and Hers,

Regina Weiner

We're sorry to have distressed you, Ms. Weiner. Running the articles back-to-back was the only way we could accommodate both sides fairly short of re-programming our entire site to show a “split-screen”! It is ironic that the traditional print media has more flexibility in such a situation with their “spread” layouts.

I understand the risk you address, but posting Mr. Rose's article by itself and merely linking from it to the Crisis piece would, I believe, have unfairly condemned Crisis—which may indeed be guilty-as-charged in this instance, but which otherwise has a strong batting average. I look forward to running their counter-response in March and linking back to both previous articles. I appreciate your concern and support.

In JMJ,

Tom Allen

Editor, CE

*****

Dear CE,

Thank you so much for providing us with both sides of the Brian Saint-Paul/Michael Rose debate! I have read both positive and negative critiques of Goodbye, Good Men, but Catholic Exchange is the first place I have seen equal time given to both the criticisms of Mr. Rose and his rebuttal. (I haven't read Goodbye, Good Men, but I intend to as soon as I get the chance.) I appreciate your effort to give time and space to both sides of the story. Keep up the great work!

Linda Milliken

South Portland, Maine

The Rise and Fall of Rosie O’Donnell

Dear Editors of Catholic Exchange:

I really enjoy Catholic Exchange and visit the website daily. I look forward to beginning my day with CE. I always find great articles on your site, many of which help me with my faith.

Having said this, I would like to make a comment about the article The Rise and Fall of Rosie O'Donnell. I see nothing good or positive about this article. In fact, I was a bit disappointed upon reading it and found the article in bad taste. While I understand the author's position, I don't really think it fits with the articles you normally run that help us or inspire us in the Faith. I will continue to support Catholic Exchange and tell my friends and family to do the same. I hope in the future, however, that an article like this won’t make it on the site. Rosie O'Donnell deserves compassion and prayer from the Catholic community. As Catholics, we are called to be compassionate and loving … just as Jesus taught us. I don't think Jesus would approve of such an article. Thanks for listening to my rambling. I look forward to starting my day tomorrow with Catholic Exchange.

Peace,

Kevin Theriault

Florida

Thanks for your feedback and kind words, Kevin. We ran the piece precisely because we felt the author demonstrates true Christian compassion for Ms. O'Donnell. The hope is that it will generate prayers for Ms. O'Donnell's re-conversion to the Faith.

In JMJ,

Tom Allen

Editor, CE

Wanted for Fraudulently Claiming Catholic Faith

Dear Catholic Exchange:

On January 22nd, you ran an excellent article appropriately entitled “Wanted for Fraudulently Claiming Catholic Faith.” I have tried to relocate that article on your website, but have been unable to find it. How can I get a copy of this excellent article to share with my family and friends? Just to let you know, Catholic Exchange is my homepage and I read your articles faithfully.

Thank you,

Francisco

Thanks, Francisco. Here you go:

Wanted for Fraudulently Claiming Catholic Faith!

Yours in Christ,

Tom Allen

Editor, CE

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