Speaking just for myself as someone who became Catholic when I got married, and had found Bishop Robert Barron's voice helpful to try and understand the Catholic faith better, it was really jarring to see his transformation in to a MAGA apologist - I actually didn't know he had gone that far down the rabbit hole until I read the article.
I went from liking his YouTube videos before the pandemic to being bewildered about why was he making such a big deal about wokeism (at some point around or shortly after the pandemic) - especially when there were other much more pressing concerns to address. Then at some point I told the algorithm to stop recommending his videos, I think it was around when Trump got elected the second time - I was like it's no longer healthy to put myself thru the stress to find any good in what this person is saying (it's the same reason why I didn't tune in to the SOTU). I just didn't have the capacity - it's all I can do to stay connected and not burn the bridge for a few friends that have gone MAGA.
On the bright side I am grateful that Pope Leo is there, just as I was grateful for Pope Francis before - I find their words and actions still resonate and even more strongly now. I'm not the judge, my words don't hold that kind of weight, but seeing how even an intelligent bishop can go off the rails and turn his vision into darkness in some sense, turn against his own earlier counsel, fall into the same trap he had been warning others against, feels like a cautionary tale about the limits of intelligence - lit's a similar vulnerability to how words like terrorist can get twisted into their opposite meaning. It makes you appreciate even more those who, despite our common human frailty, find the strength to help the world thru dark times instead of giving in.
Thank you for writing about the Flight 93 memorial. One fall day on my way home to Philadelphia from visiting relatives in Pittsburgh, I took a detour to the memorial. The foliage in southwestern Pennsylvania was vibrant. The day was crisp. I was deeply moved when I realized that as you walk down the black granite path to the overlook, you are walking the last flight path of Flight 93 before it crashed into the field beyond. A fitting memorial. A walk we should all take.
Can the Bulwark get Steven Greydanus as a contributor? This piece he wrote is fantastic. Balanced, evidence-based, nicely written. He’d be a valuable resource for the Bulwark.
I always appreciate your thoughts on these sorts of things, JVL. Thank you.
As a Pennsylvanian who has visited the Flight 93 Memorial (only the official one - never saw the temporary one), I've always felt a sense of deep grief at the fact that the memorial is so isolated. It almost seems like a shrine rather than a memorial.
I finally got around to reading this, and for the moment, I think it is one of my favorites of yours, JVL. Perhaps it's because I'm a Minnesotan (living in San Francisco - but I will always be Minnesotan) and have been to the George Floyd memorial and understand and feel how this hits. I look forward to going to the Pretti and Good memorial this spring. Your description of the Shanksville community's response and the Minnesotan's resolve is the type of thing that gives me hope that we can successfully combat the darkness of the regime with the necessary grace, strength, fortitude and determination to take our country back and build it into a place "...That Shall Have A New Birth Of Freedom — And That Government Of The People, By The People, For The People, Shall Not Perish From The Earth."
I like this Triad. It's a good comparison of people making a makeshift memorial and the parallels are true. I did like the Shanksville Memorial. I think I went around 2017 and found it heartbreaking, especially when you could listen to the calls. I thought they did a good job of showing the realism of what they were going through. And liked the layout of the memorial on the ground. I am in the Newark area, where Flight 93 took off, so I think it hit me hard because of that and you are hearing their stories of they are aware of what's going on while on the flight. But probably the original memorial was more heartfelt.
And good call on Barron. I knew he had an ego but I really liked him for years, so that's a strike against me. But he has no excuses now and just pretends to be ignorant of the world around him. I did follow that Gloria Purvis story and also was confused when I never saw it, I figured I just missed it and might have had to pay for the series. This makes more sense now.
Thank you for the quote from Steven Greydanus, and your own comments about Bishop Barron. As a Catholic who had admired him, his evolution into a MAGA defender was painful and confusing. Steven’s piece and yours have been helpful.
I share your confusion on why so many of our Catholic priests, bishops, et al can rationalize the gospel with DJT's actions, statements, and positions on so many things. I think many Catholics (laity as well), made the political calculation that his support of the Pro-Life movement, and a perceived growth (or return to) historical power and new political influence for the USCCB as so many more Federalist Society judges and political appointees moved into the Trump Administration. I think they were doing the "means justifies the end" calculation. I suspect many now wonder if they were truly ready for what they signed up for. I pray for conversion (for both the Presidents' heart, and those in the church who thought they could "fix" our culture without waiting for the Holy Spirit). I hope Pope Leo can bring them back.
A good one JV, Flight 93 and those 40 people represented the best of what it means to be an American and a human being. Just as so many on battlefields around the world they gave as Lincoln said that "last full measure of devotion" they were saving our country and their fellow citizens. What is so incredibly sad is on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary those who now run our country do not even remotely understand let alone honor what these people did and why.
The same can be said of Renee Goodman and Alex Pretti, they died in defense of their fellow Americans, citizens or not and in their case our government of sociopaths are doing their best to erase them and their sacrifice and we cannot let them.
As a Catholic raised in the pro-life movement among conservatives, I have watched in horror and grief as the Bishop Barrons of our nation, and their followers in the pews, abandoned the principles of our faith. Steven Greydanus and Gloria Purvis are both still speaking up for the truth, and they take significant abuse for it. The pope and many US bishops have been stalwart, and I have hope for the future, but in the meantime we must amplify the people like Greydanus and Purvis who speak the truth. Thank you for doing that, JVL.
Please bring back Tim Alberta. We need his voice right now.
Thanks, JVL. This was beautiful, moving and powerful.
Beautiful, moving piece. So very sorry about your aunt, JVL.
Speaking just for myself as someone who became Catholic when I got married, and had found Bishop Robert Barron's voice helpful to try and understand the Catholic faith better, it was really jarring to see his transformation in to a MAGA apologist - I actually didn't know he had gone that far down the rabbit hole until I read the article.
I went from liking his YouTube videos before the pandemic to being bewildered about why was he making such a big deal about wokeism (at some point around or shortly after the pandemic) - especially when there were other much more pressing concerns to address. Then at some point I told the algorithm to stop recommending his videos, I think it was around when Trump got elected the second time - I was like it's no longer healthy to put myself thru the stress to find any good in what this person is saying (it's the same reason why I didn't tune in to the SOTU). I just didn't have the capacity - it's all I can do to stay connected and not burn the bridge for a few friends that have gone MAGA.
On the bright side I am grateful that Pope Leo is there, just as I was grateful for Pope Francis before - I find their words and actions still resonate and even more strongly now. I'm not the judge, my words don't hold that kind of weight, but seeing how even an intelligent bishop can go off the rails and turn his vision into darkness in some sense, turn against his own earlier counsel, fall into the same trap he had been warning others against, feels like a cautionary tale about the limits of intelligence - lit's a similar vulnerability to how words like terrorist can get twisted into their opposite meaning. It makes you appreciate even more those who, despite our common human frailty, find the strength to help the world thru dark times instead of giving in.
Thank you for writing about the Flight 93 memorial. One fall day on my way home to Philadelphia from visiting relatives in Pittsburgh, I took a detour to the memorial. The foliage in southwestern Pennsylvania was vibrant. The day was crisp. I was deeply moved when I realized that as you walk down the black granite path to the overlook, you are walking the last flight path of Flight 93 before it crashed into the field beyond. A fitting memorial. A walk we should all take.
Can the Bulwark get Steven Greydanus as a contributor? This piece he wrote is fantastic. Balanced, evidence-based, nicely written. He’d be a valuable resource for the Bulwark.
I always appreciate your thoughts on these sorts of things, JVL. Thank you.
As a Pennsylvanian who has visited the Flight 93 Memorial (only the official one - never saw the temporary one), I've always felt a sense of deep grief at the fact that the memorial is so isolated. It almost seems like a shrine rather than a memorial.
I finally got around to reading this, and for the moment, I think it is one of my favorites of yours, JVL. Perhaps it's because I'm a Minnesotan (living in San Francisco - but I will always be Minnesotan) and have been to the George Floyd memorial and understand and feel how this hits. I look forward to going to the Pretti and Good memorial this spring. Your description of the Shanksville community's response and the Minnesotan's resolve is the type of thing that gives me hope that we can successfully combat the darkness of the regime with the necessary grace, strength, fortitude and determination to take our country back and build it into a place "...That Shall Have A New Birth Of Freedom — And That Government Of The People, By The People, For The People, Shall Not Perish From The Earth."
Thanks, JVL.
I'm so sorry about your aunt, JVL. So many innocents lost, then and now.
I like this Triad. It's a good comparison of people making a makeshift memorial and the parallels are true. I did like the Shanksville Memorial. I think I went around 2017 and found it heartbreaking, especially when you could listen to the calls. I thought they did a good job of showing the realism of what they were going through. And liked the layout of the memorial on the ground. I am in the Newark area, where Flight 93 took off, so I think it hit me hard because of that and you are hearing their stories of they are aware of what's going on while on the flight. But probably the original memorial was more heartfelt.
And good call on Barron. I knew he had an ego but I really liked him for years, so that's a strike against me. But he has no excuses now and just pretends to be ignorant of the world around him. I did follow that Gloria Purvis story and also was confused when I never saw it, I figured I just missed it and might have had to pay for the series. This makes more sense now.
Beautifully written and a worthy connection and perception, Sadly I confess that it raised some serious anger in me.
I always enjoy it when faith and politics come together a little more explicitly in The Triad
Thank you for the quote from Steven Greydanus, and your own comments about Bishop Barron. As a Catholic who had admired him, his evolution into a MAGA defender was painful and confusing. Steven’s piece and yours have been helpful.
I share your confusion on why so many of our Catholic priests, bishops, et al can rationalize the gospel with DJT's actions, statements, and positions on so many things. I think many Catholics (laity as well), made the political calculation that his support of the Pro-Life movement, and a perceived growth (or return to) historical power and new political influence for the USCCB as so many more Federalist Society judges and political appointees moved into the Trump Administration. I think they were doing the "means justifies the end" calculation. I suspect many now wonder if they were truly ready for what they signed up for. I pray for conversion (for both the Presidents' heart, and those in the church who thought they could "fix" our culture without waiting for the Holy Spirit). I hope Pope Leo can bring them back.
A good one JV, Flight 93 and those 40 people represented the best of what it means to be an American and a human being. Just as so many on battlefields around the world they gave as Lincoln said that "last full measure of devotion" they were saving our country and their fellow citizens. What is so incredibly sad is on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary those who now run our country do not even remotely understand let alone honor what these people did and why.
The same can be said of Renee Goodman and Alex Pretti, they died in defense of their fellow Americans, citizens or not and in their case our government of sociopaths are doing their best to erase them and their sacrifice and we cannot let them.
As a Catholic raised in the pro-life movement among conservatives, I have watched in horror and grief as the Bishop Barrons of our nation, and their followers in the pews, abandoned the principles of our faith. Steven Greydanus and Gloria Purvis are both still speaking up for the truth, and they take significant abuse for it. The pope and many US bishops have been stalwart, and I have hope for the future, but in the meantime we must amplify the people like Greydanus and Purvis who speak the truth. Thank you for doing that, JVL.
Beautifully written. Wow.