Given the impoverished state of Philippine print and broadcast journalism today, there are not too many journalists I turn to for the nourishment of spirit and higher faculties. But I always treat myself to Teditorial because no matter that the theme he picks on may receive his trademark acerbic barbs I always find an incorrigible smile over my countenance as he dishes it out like only Teddy Boy Locsin can! Which only makes more painfully obvious the pallid and insipid hogwash that is made to pass for journalism by those are best licking boots in high places rather that pontificating on issues far in excess of their less than modest intellectual endowments! Inelegant turns of phrase, non sequiturs strung together in some contemptible poor excuse for argument, bits of science artfully combined with voodoo and a generous dose of lower Philippine mythology—these are the morsels these quacks who pass themselves off for bona fide journalists regularly throw the way of their hapless viewership.
A case in point was the recent report on the Vatican-approved itinerary of Pope Francis. After a rather dull report on the press conference at which church and state dignitaries all expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming Papal Visit, some kind of commentary followed. There were clips of the ubiquitous dealers in amulets and herbal cures—abortifacients even, hinted the commentator—outside Quiapo Church. So what kind of Church, the reporter, rhetorically asked, was Pope Francis visiting in the Philippines? From that moment on, whatever lingering doubts I may have had were laid to rest: this network was the purveyor of that unrepentant kind of stupidity that has contributed to the cumulative decline of Filipino intelligence. Where, I asked myself in utter dismay, was this idiotess of a reporter coming from?
Then came the supposed findings of fact. Numbers of church-goers have declined, she announced, because many Catholics disagreed with the official Church position on artificial contraception. Also, turned off by the failings of priests who had molested children in their care, many had simply chosen to follow other faiths. What kind of statistical design does one use to get findings of this sort? And how does one without further explanation establish a causal connection between Magisterial teaching on artificial contraception—as old as Pius XII and Bl. Paul VI—with declining numbers of church-goers?
Which takes me back to the thoughtfulness of Teddy Boy Locsin. If there be any fault with him, it is that unlike Ebola, he has kept his insightfulness to himself, so that many of his colleagues remain silly and superstitious. Commenting on the Church, he said: “This is exactly the Church, the Body of Christ with sinful members.” That is not groundbreaking theology, but that is true theological wisdom, not the pseudo-intellectualizing we get from philosopher-wannabes! When you want an association that reflects your oddities and your biases, scout around for one of the many social and civic organizations that abound. Do not ask the Church to alter what it has received as a critique of the human condition so that it may be more suited to your liking. This is the syndrome of a civilization for whom a survey is the highest expression of truth and a poll, the ultimate criterion of right and wrong. Yes, we all look forward to the springtime of Pope Francis’ pontificate —but it cannot be a springtime of his devising. It is rather that the Spirit blows where He wills and nowhere else do we need a particularly strong blast of Spirit than in this country over which the mediocrity of media holds so much sway.
rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph
rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph
rannie_aquino@yahoo.com
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