Grace Thompson
The National Catholic Register is a publication of EWTN News, the world's largest Catholic news organization. It has been accused by some liberal American commentators of advancing an ecumenism of hate by subordinating the Gospel to a right-wing political agenda. These commentators argue that the National Catholic Register, along with other conservative Catholic websites, contributes to an environment of hate speech against those who hold differing views, particularly on issues related to LGBTQ rights and religious freedom. The National Catholic Register, on the other hand, defends free speech and argues that the use of the term hate is often careless and used to vilify and marginalize those with traditional Christian beliefs. So, is the National Catholic Register engaging in hate speech, or is it being unfairly targeted for upholding conservative Catholic values?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of content | Claims that the National Catholic Register advances an "ecumenism of hate" in which "Catholic integralists" and "evangelical fundamentalists" subordinate the Gospel to a right-wing political agenda |
| Political leanings | Conservative, right-wing |
| Language | Militaristic, profane |
| Accusations of hate speech | Directed at Catholics and other Christians for their views on LGBTQ+ issues and homosexuality |
| Response to accusations | Denial, claims of censorship, and concerns about freedom of speech and religion |
| Examples of pushback | Scottish Parliament's Hate Crime and Public Order Act, Canada's Bill C-250, inclusion of Catholic organizations on the Southern Poverty Law Center's "hate groups" list |
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What You'll Learn
National Catholic Register's take on free speech
The National Catholic Register has published several articles and commentaries that discuss the topic of free speech, particularly in relation to hate speech legislation and its potential impact on Catholic expression. The publication seems to take a strong stance against any perceived restrictions on free speech, often characterising such efforts as "assaults" or "attacks" on free speech.
For example, an article titled "Tim Walz's Assault on Free Speech" from August 2024, discusses the implications of certain legislation on free speech for American Catholics. The article references a Scottish law that makes "hate speech" punishable by up to seven years in prison, and expresses concern that similar restrictions in the US could lead to the criminalisation of Catholic beliefs and teachings.
Another article, "Catholics Beware: The Attack on Free Speech is Growing Stronger," warns of an increasing trend to marginalise and vilify Catholics and their views, with the author suggesting that the term "hate" is being used as a weapon against traditional Christians. The article also mentions the inclusion of Catholic organisations on the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) list of "hate groups," further illustrating the perceived threat to Catholic free speech.
The National Catholic Register also covers international developments related to free speech and hate speech legislation. In an article titled "With New Law, Is Christianity Hate Speech in Canada?", the publication discusses Bill C-250 and its potential impact on religious freedom. While Catholic organisations and Christian leaders opposed the bill, fearing it could be used to silence Church teachings, it ultimately passed.
In addition to these articles, the National Catholic Register has also published commentaries that address the topic of hate speech more broadly. For instance, a piece titled "'Ecumenism of Hate': EWTN and the Register" responds to accusations that the publication itself is advancing an "ecumenism of hate" by promoting a right-wing political agenda. The article denies these claims and attributes them to political motivations.
Overall, the National Catholic Register appears to strongly advocate for the protection of free speech, especially when it comes to the expression of Catholic beliefs and values. They view hate speech legislation and certain political trends as potential threats to their religious freedom and work to raise awareness and spur discussion on these issues.
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The ecumenism of hate
The "ecumenism of hate" is a term used to describe the alleged alliance between "Evangelical Fundamentalism" and "Catholic Integralism" in support of the hate-filled politics of the Trump administration. This claim was made in an essay by Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro and Marcelo Figueroa, a Protestant pastor chosen by Pope Francis to lead the Argentinean edition of the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano. The essay sparked controversy, with some supporters of Pope Francis accusing the National Catholic Register and its parent apostolate, EWTN, of advancing this "ecumenism of hate" by subordinating the Gospel to a right-wing political agenda.
The National Catholic Register has pushed back against accusations of hate speech, arguing that the term "hate" is often used carelessly to describe mere disagreements or differing views. They believe that their biblical and natural law perspectives on moral questions are being vilified and demonized, leading to marginalization and even persecution. The Register highlights the inclusion of Catholic organizations on the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) "hate groups" list due to their opposition to LGBTQ+ interests, which they see as a threat to religious liberty.
The publication also expresses concern over the passage of laws that could potentially criminalize Christian beliefs. For instance, Canada's Bill C-250, which includes "sexual orientation" in anti-hate legislation, is opposed by Catholic organizations and Christian leaders who fear it will silence Church teachings on homosexuality. Similarly, the Scottish Parliament's Hate Crime and Public Order Act, which punishes "threatening or abusive" speech related to protected characteristics, raises concerns about proclaiming "Christ is Lord" being deemed exclusionary and hateful.
The National Catholic Register advocates for the protection of free speech, even for views that may be considered objectionable. They argue that Catholics should resist legal efforts to curtail speech and that the definition of "hate" has become overly broad, encompassing anything that disagrees with progressive social tenets. The publication warns of a growing attack on free speech, where colleges and universities once bastions of free expression, now suppress speech to protect students from views they deem "hurtful" or "hateful."
In conclusion, the "ecumenism of hate" allegation against the National Catholic Register stems from its perceived alignment of Catholic and evangelical ideologies with right-wing politics. The Register defends itself against accusations of hate speech by highlighting the threat to religious liberty and free expression, arguing that the term "hate" is often misused to marginalize and persecute traditional Christians. The publication emphasizes the importance of protecting controversial speech and religious beliefs from legal restrictions.
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The National Catholic Register's views on LGBTQ+ rights
The National Catholic Register is a conservative Catholic publication that has been accused of advancing an "ecumenism of hate" by subordinating the Gospel to a right-wing political agenda. While the publication itself has not explicitly stated its views on LGBTQ+ rights, several articles and commentaries provide insight into its stance.
In an article titled "The Real Bridge for 'LGBT' Catholics: The Catechism," the National Catholic Register interviewed Daniel Mattson, author of "Why I Don't Call Myself Gay." Mattson, a same-sex attracted man, shared his journey of finding freedom, peace, and joy by living according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. He emphasized the concept of redemptive suffering, suggesting that lives outside of God's plan, including those involved in the "homosexual lifestyle," will fall apart. The article further stated that same-sex attraction is a "privation of a good" and should not be viewed as normal or healthy. It encouraged individuals experiencing same-sex attractions to recognize that feelings are not a reliable gauge of reality and that they don't have to act on their desires.
Another article published by the National Catholic Register in 2024, titled "Tim Walz's Assault on Free Speech," focused on the implications of hate speech legislation on Catholic expression. The article expressed concern over the definition of "hate" expanding to include beliefs commonly held by Catholics for millennia. It mentioned the Scottish Parliament's Hate Crime and Public Order Act, which criminalizes threatening or abusive speech related to characteristics such as sexual orientation and transgender identity. The publication warned that similar restrictions on speech could impact American Catholics, potentially leading to proclamations of Christian beliefs being deemed hateful or non-inclusive.
While the National Catholic Register has not explicitly stated its position on LGBTQ+ rights, the articles suggest a conservative and traditionalist perspective. The publication appears to emphasize the importance of adhering to the teachings of the Catholic Church, even if they conflict with secular notions of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. Additionally, the concern over hate speech legislation indicates a resistance to expanding the definition of "hate" to include expressions that may be considered discriminatory by societal standards.
It is worth noting that the views expressed by the National Catholic Register do not necessarily represent the opinions of all Catholics. Research has shown that Catholic attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people and issues are changing dramatically. Increasingly, American Catholics are recognizing their own lived experiences and are more accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals and their relationships. This shift in attitudes reflects the changing societal landscape and the church's struggle to balance traditional teachings with calls for a more welcoming and inclusive approach.
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The National Catholic Register's views on hate speech laws in Canada
Canada's hate speech laws have been a topic of debate, with some arguing that they curtail free speech and could potentially be used to target religious groups. The National Catholic Register, a conservative Catholic news organization, has expressed concerns about the impact of these laws on Catholic expression and teachings.
In 2020, the Register published an article titled "With New Law, Is Christianity Hate Speech in Canada?" focusing on the implications of Bill C-250. This bill added "sexual orientation" to existing anti-hate legislation protecting religious or ethnic groups. Catholic organizations, Christian leaders, and academics opposed the bill, arguing that it could be used to silence Church teachings on homosexuality. Vancouver Archbishop Bishop Ray Roussin expressed disappointment in the bill's passage, stating that it might impact freedom of speech and religious freedom.
The Register highlighted instances where Catholics faced repercussions for expressing their religious beliefs. For example, a major daily paper in Newfoundland rejected a letter from ten Catholics opposing a priest who supported homosexual conduct, citing potential violations of Canadian hate-literature legislation. Additionally, a public-school teacher in British Columbia was suspended for writing letters about the moral and health problems associated with homosexual activities.
The publication also featured the perspective of Sean Murphy, a spokesman for the Canadian Catholic Civil Rights League. Murphy warned that the new law could be applied to a wide range of expressions, from papal statements to letters to the editor. He referenced a case in Ireland where bishops were warned of potential action under anti-hate laws if they distributed or taught from a papal statement on sexual morality.
The National Catholic Register's stance aligns with its broader defence of free speech and resistance to censorship. They argue that Catholics should oppose legal efforts to curtail speech, regardless of how objectionable it may be. While acknowledging the importance of protecting marginalized groups from hate speech, the Register emphasizes the need to safeguard religious freedom and the open expression of religious beliefs.
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The National Catholic Register's views on hate speech laws in Scotland
Scotland's new hate crime law, the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, came into effect on 1 April 2024. The Act makes it an offence to stir up hatred with threatening or abusive behaviour on the basis of characteristics like age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity. While the Scottish government says the law will help build safer communities, critics argue that it could curtail freedom of speech and lead to censorship of Catholic teachings.
The National Catholic Register (NCR) has expressed concerns about the potential impact of Scotland's hate speech laws on Catholic expression. In an editorial, NCR highlights the vulnerability of the Catholic Church in the face of threats to free speech. It cites the example of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, whose comments on curtailing speech deemed hateful were criticised by Catholics. NCR asserts that Catholics should resist legal efforts to curtail speech, regardless of how outrageous or objectionable it may be.
In the context of Scotland's hate speech laws, NCR raises concerns about the potential censorship of Catholic teachings. It notes that the Catholic bishops of Scotland argued that the law could lead to the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church being deemed "inflammatory material". The bishops also warned that Catholic teachings on sex and gender could be perceived as abusive and likely to stir up hatred. NCR emphasises the need for the free flow of information and the pursuit of objective truth, quoting President John F. Kennedy's defence of freedom of information.
NCR also reports on the criticism levelled against Scotland's hate speech laws by notable figures like veteran human rights activist Peter Tatchell. Tatchell acknowledges the good intentions behind the law but criticises its vagueness and subjectivity in interpreting abuse. Police organisations have similarly expressed concern about the law's potential impact on trust in the police and the possibility of it being "weaponised" by activist groups.
While NCR recognises the importance of tackling hate crime and providing greater protection for victims and communities, it emphasises the need to safeguard freedom of expression, especially for religious groups. It highlights the potential conflict between protecting religious views and the broad provisions of the hate speech legislation. NCR's views reflect a cautious approach to hate speech laws, prioritising the protection of religious expression and free speech while acknowledging the complexities of balancing these rights with the need to address hate crimes.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the National Catholic Register is not engaging in hate speech. The Register has published articles arguing against the censorship of free speech and warning Catholics about the growing attacks on their freedom of expression.
The National Catholic Register has published articles that are critical of hate speech legislation, arguing that such laws could be used to censor Catholic teachings and perspectives on moral and doctrinal issues.
Yes, the National Catholic Register has been accused of promoting hate speech by some thinkers close to Pope Francis. Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro and Marcelo Figueroa, for example, have argued that the Register and its parent apostolate, EWTN, advance an "ecumenism of hate."
The National Catholic Register defines hate speech as attributing hatred to others based on mere disagreements or differing views, which can poison reputations and even amount to libel or slander.
The National Catholic Register has published articles on a variety of topics related to hate speech, including Tim Walz's alleged assault on free speech, the inclusion of Catholic organizations on the Southern Poverty Law Center's "hate groups" list, and the implications of hate speech legislation in Canada and Scotland on Catholic expression.
