The “Closed Oyster” Award

From the Süddeutsche Zeitung [“South German Newspaper”] of Munich, tr. awr:

More than any criticism of the Church can harm the Church, the Church harms itself when it shuts itself out of discussion. On the occasion of the bestowing of the “Closed Oyster” award, a commendation for the Catholic Church, the “information blocker of the year”:

They are to be found everywhere, in administrations and associations, in firms and political parties, in banks and unions: those who cover up, deny, and keep secret. Whoever especially stands out in these skills in the course of the year has good chances of winning the Closed Oyster, the critics’ prize of the journalists’ association “Research Network.”

This year the prize is conferred for the ninth time. It stands as a symbol of warning for lack of openness and impeding of freedom of the press by persons or organizations in relation to the media.

This year the critics’ prize is given to the Catholic Church for its manner of dealing with the abuse scandal. “In their handling of the cases of abuse, the German bishops admit only those facts which they can no longer deny. The Catholic Church does not respect the claim of the public to prompt and complete information. The Church thereby contradicts its own values of truthfulness and honesty,” said Thomas Leif, president of the Research Network, in explaining the jury’s decision.

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6 responses to “The “Closed Oyster” Award”

  1. Rita Ferrone

    LOL!

    Here’s the big question, though: Is there a pearl inside???

    Reply
  2. Charles Culbreth

    Yes. And it will come to us at a great cost.
    It is difficult to understand the glee and mirth that, to these eyes, seems to leak profusely from this forum’s re-posting of the orginal.
    Did some editor deem it appropriately worshipful, wise or witty?
    Just asking.
    Have a ball in Detroit!

    Reply
  3. Anthony Ruff, OSB Avatar
    Anthony Ruff, OSB

    Charles,
    “Glee and mirth?” Please don’t impugn motives or emotions – I don’t think you can sense all that just from the text on the screen.
    We think it’s important to face the truth, including the difficult truth about how the Church is viewed in contemporary culture. Sometimes wounds (including in the church) can’t heal until they’re acknowledged and dealt with. It probably doesn’t seem that way to you, but we honestly believe we’re serving the Church by our honesty.
    awr

    Reply
  4. Rita Ferrone

    The name of the award is extremely witty, Charles. Not unlike Senator Proxmire’s “golden fleece award,” the humor is barbed, and meant to strike the conscience with accuracy–as this does, and with good reason. If “glee” and “mirth” seem to you apt descriptors of this post, you must not know much about the humor of irony. But what really puzzles me is your rhetorical question about whether this post is “appropriately worshipful.” Last time I looked, blog posts were not required to be worshipful. The idea that we ought to keep a worshipful attitude toward the public relations practices of bishops is frankly bizarre.

    The pearl in this instance appears to be “the truth,” and yes, it is costing a great deal to get at it.

    In this very sad, indeed tragic time in the church, I for one welcome some comic relief once in a while. Thank you, Anthony, for posting this.

    Reply
  5. Charles Culbreth

    Because I’ve dislocated my left shoulder twice in the last two weeks, this and my last post are the result of 1 finger typing. Fr. Ruff, if I use a disclaimer as I did formerly with “to these eyes, ” I am rightfully within bounds to “impugn” whatever tone or caricature that I sense eminates from the intent and content of the post. Would that all combox Jacks and Jills would so qualify theirs, and not “speak” on others’ presumed behalf.
    Ms. Ferrone, the issue I raised simply came from PT’s masthead. Inasmuch as we laity have never before enjoyed such a scale of access to ecclesial matters, my query simply was founded upon the presumed intent of content of the blog, namely worship. wit and wisdom. In the ZEITUNG piece, as you say, ther is a measure of wit to some. The other two raison d’etres were not so apparent to me; and folks who know me, know that relish and cherish wit and wisdom heartily.
    I can’t see much “comic relief” in the piece.
    I am at fault for causing you both to think that “worshipful” exhorted you to think I was tacitly endorsing episcopal politics. I am quite on record for transparency and bold honesty in that political realm. But reducing the body of the Church to such a cartoon stereotype I found offensive. If you think such levity proves what tolerant RC’s should submit to for their temporal and eternal benefit, by all means carry on.
    Your faces are still those of Christ to me. If the curia/magisterium are still objects for ridicule,…

    Reply
  6. Geraldine o Mathune

    An unwillingness to, forget merely showing dirty linen, a reluctance to perform the actual soiling in public flies in the face of American society’s current preference, during the reign of Oprah, reality TV, and Twitter, doesn’t it?

    Reply

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