The Vortex: Much ado about Michael Voris

Bishop Bambera - Scranton

If you haven't heard, the Diocese of Scranton (PA) has denied permission to Michael Voris to speak on "church property" within the Diocese. This is a legitimate authority they have, and are free to exercise. Voris, via RealCatholicTV.com, has responded and so have others; and the Catholic Blogosphere has lit up with a ton of commentary about this particular issue.

What is interesting in this entire situation isn't that the Diocese of Scranton seems to have invoked some weird modernist double-standard on speakers, or even the efficacy and prudence of Michael Voris and his "Vortex" videos. Lost in all of this, although some are bringing it to light, is the role the Archdiocese of Detroit is playing in it. The main voice in the seeming wilderness in all of this has been Matt Abbott at Renew America.

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the Michigan connection

As this blog is partially Michigan based, and having come from the Archdiocese of Detroit, I feel this is a valid topic of discussion. Not only that, Voris has been an ardent defender of the Church and supporter of the Ecclesia Militans. Now, before I proceed I do want to say that I support Voris either in method or message 100%. There are some things, as with all people, that I think he has done incorrectly, imprudently, and even uncharitably. For the most part though, I am behind him, as I think he brings to light a lot of issues that others are willing to say. Some of his Vortex videos and his CIA episodes I do take issue with in some regards, but I am not one to throw out the baby with the bath-water.

Many, who are familiar with Scranton, are taking up that side of the issue. As I said, what I find interesting is the Detroit side of things. Those who inquire with the Archdiocese get this emailed response to their inquiry to Voris:

In 2006, St. Michael’s Media of Ferndale, Michigan, through its chief executive, Michael Voris, and his associates, requested approval of its apostolate and programming from the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Detroit archdiocese responded to their initial submission and gave them direction as to the additional information and steps that would need to be taken. At issue was, and is, compliance with our basic archdiocesan media protocols and those of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). While there have been some discussions, the matter with St. Michael’s Media remains unresolved; it is not an approved apostolate.

“In 2008, a Web-based video provider named RealCatholicTV.com was launched, with Michael Voris as the primary host, producer-writer and manager, utilizing new and archive program material produced and provided, primarily, by St. Michael’s Media. The RealCatholicTV enterprise has yet to present itself or receive approval of its apostolate and programming from the Detroit archdiocese.

“Therefore, the catechetical presentations, the analysis of Catholic teachings or positions, and the commentary on Church leadership presented by St. Michael’s Media and/or RealCatholicTV— be they audio, video, or exclusively Web-based— cannot be approved or endorsed by the archdiocese at this time.”

Ned McGrath
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Detroit
February 2011

Archbishop Vigneron - Detroit

Now, Archbishop Vigneron (Detroit) was in the original "running" for USCCB President. In fact, if you were to ask me, and was  "my pick". [NB: I think Chaput is "more orthodox", but viewed him as "un-winnable."] He has done some great things since taking the reins in Detroit. In fact, he celebrated the Extraordinary Form Confirmation Mass at St. Josaphat's in 2009. He has also made vast improvements in the Archdiocese, one that was plagued with heresy and scandal for many years. So many have seen him as a ray of hope. I personally, have talked him up as one of the Bishops with a "backbone" willing to reclaim the Bride of Christ in honor and glory.

What pains me is that I know chanceries and lay officials within a diocese wield a power and authority that shouldn't have. That being said, it is really hard to know where things stand in the AOD regarding Voris. Now I am not saying that Abp. Vigneron should be judged solely on the Voris issue, but the question of "What to do about Voris and RealCatholicTV.com will continue to come up. The Scranton situation will not be the last. Since the AOD has put out a statement, people will continue to ask the question: "Do you support Voris?" until it is answered. So where will Abp. Vigneron come down? Many that I know in the Archdiocese of Detroit (both supportive and non-supportive of Voris) see this as a tipping-point issue. The AOD is saying that they are "not an approved apostolate" but can they or will they be approved if they go through the whole procedure? This is just one of many questions.

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questions linger...

So many questions remain. Will Archbishop Vigneron come out and make a statement one way or the other on Voris? Will Voris be allowed or denied in any other Diocese? Will this be a tipping point issue in Detroit or other places? There is much ado about Voris in the Blogosphere but I wonder if maybe there is a larger issue at play. In Voris' most recent Vortex, he mentions that this issue isn't about him, or his position on things. In fact, it isnt about Scranton or Detroit. What is at play and at stake is something much larger. It has more to do with the state of things in the Catholic institutional church here in the United States, and it has to do with the fidelity to the true Church. I think he is right, and that scares me, because that is a showdown that will leave many who are unprepared in a fight for their eternal souls. There is much ado about Voris - and the vortex we find ourselves in might be the eternal battle between good and evil.


Links:
The Vortex - Voris' response to the Issue
A perspective on Detroit - Matt Abbott

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