A Plague on Both Their Houses?...

I  have been watching the spat between various people involved with Catholic Voices (on the one hand) and John Smeaton and many others (on the other) with growing dismay.

I don't know any of the participants personally, though I have communicated with many publicly, and some on each side privately.  To the extent that I feel I know them, I think I like them, and certainly respect the commitment they exemplify.

However, I also agree with some of John Smeaton's criticisms of the bishops, with some of Caroline Farrow's criticisms of John Smeaton, with some of James Preece's criticisms of Catholic Voices' leadership, and so on and so on.

But what I think is really clear is that Twitter, above all, is no place for such discussions.  The brevity alone leads to over-simplification, brusqueness and so on, and there is also something questionable about having such discussions in such a public forum.

So I am tempted to call down a plague on both their houses - but of course I don't want to do so.  I would far prefer...

To see a coherent and united pro-life movement emerge in this country; and
To have clear and unequivocal teaching about Catholic Faith and Morals.

So rather than stir the pot any more, I would ask all readers to pray for all concerned.