Serious citizens: Don’t miss this talk!

Over my 22 years as a bishop, I’ve noticed that quite a few journalists have the same curious habit:  They don’t really listen.  That seems odd.  In fact, it is odd, because listening is a key skill of their profession.  But deadlines, poor understanding of their material and the need for brevity can lead many reporters to take intellectual shortcuts.  And on issues that the mainstream news media don’t understand—or don’t like—this can create real problems.  Nowhere is this clearer than in their treatment of religion.

Given the huge role Christian faith has always played, and in many ways still plays, in American life, any coverage of important public issues in our country that attempts to exclude religion will be flawed.  But when it comes to religion, journalists and the people they cover are very different creatures.  A 2005 study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center showed that 40 percent of Americans attend church services once a week or more.  Only 17 percent of press professionals do. 

The idea that this sharp difference in practice doesn’t influence America’s press coverage of religion is too implausible to take seriously.  In a sense, we are what we believe.  Our convictions shape the way we deal with the world.  And that includes media professionals.  In fact, the news media, despite their claims of impartiality, and despite the good work they often do accomplish, are just as prone to prejudice, ignorance, bad craftsmanship and tribalism as any other profession.  But unlike other professions, the press has constitutional protections.  It also has real power in shaping how we think, what we think about, and what we like, dislike and ignore.  To put it another way, America’s media, including its news media, are the greatest catechetical syndicate in history.  And if that kind of power doesn’t make us uneasy, it should at least make us alert. 

Fortunately, “the media” are not a monolith.  Plenty of reporters and editors do good work every day.  Intelligent commentators—people who are well informed, strong in their opinions but decent in the way they engage the issues—do exist on both sides of the political spectrum. 

High on the list of quality media voices is the attorney, law professor, television commentator and radio host, Hugh Hewitt.  Hewitt travels to Denver next week, Feb. 22, as part of the Augustine Institute/Office of the Archbishop annual lecture series.  And for anyone serious about understanding the moral obligations that should inform our citizenship, his theme should not be missed:  “Who is going to lead? Moral character and the future of American public life.”

Over the years, Hewitt’s list of guests has been marked by an astonishing variety of opinion but always the same keen intelligence: Christopher Hitchens, E.J. Dionne, Ken Follett, Victor Davis Hanson, Eric Metaxas, Charles Krauthammer, and scientists, religious figures and political leaders too many to name.  He brings an extraordinary insight and command of the facts to every interview, and very few people ever forget or regret the experience of meeting him in person.

Last month, our lecture series had the pleasure of hosting Hugh Hewitt’s friend, author Eric Metaxas.  In Bonfils Hall, a space made for fewer than 250 people, nearly 400 showed up and stayed.  Many others turned away when they saw the size of the crowd.  Metaxas delivered a spectacular talk on Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Hugh Hewitt will do no less with his comments next week.

There will be one key difference though.  Thanks to the kindness of Msgr. Michael Glenn, rector of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, and the seminary faculty, staff and seminarians, the Hewitt talk will take place in the much larger seminary refectory on the John Paul II campus. Seating will be adequate—but do come early.  And most importantly: This is one evening you will not want to miss.  I’ll see you there.

Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap. is the Archbishop of Denver. To read more from Archbishop Chaput, click here.  

To listen to Archbishop's homily delivered this past Sunday, visit www.archden.org/archbishop/homilies.