As you may know from earlier entries, Blade ombudsman Jack Lessenberry wrote a column about my personal blog a few weeks ago.
My objectivity had been called into question because I expressed an opinion in my blog. This letter to the editor was published in The Blade in response:

Religion reporting is fair, unbiased

Blade ombudsman Jack Lessenberry's views of Blade religion editor David Yonke's blogs were as fair and balanced as Mr. Yonke's stories, blogs, and book on religious subjects and issues.

Mr. Yonke's constitutional freedoms did not end when he accepted a journalist position. He should not be intimidated by anyone into eliminating, or even restricting, his blogging activities.

Mr. Yonke's objective as a reporter is to present the news truthfully and, as much as possible, without offense or judgment. One of Sally Oberski's roles as communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Toledo is to manage the news as much as possible, with special emphasis on damage control.

I have read dozens of Mr. Yonke's Blade stories and blogs, as well as his book, Sin, Shame & Secrets, about the Gerald Robinson case, and have found him to be, without exception, more than fair and free of bias.

His coverage of the Toledo Police Department's success in obtaining Diocese of Toledo "secret files" may have Pulitzer Prize potential.

Indeed, the diocese is very fortunate that the local religion editor is an ethical and sensitive reporter who has uncommonly high professional standards.

Many other dioceses would be very grateful to have such balanced and unsensationalized reporting in their local papers.

Richard Rosenbaum

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

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It may be worth noting that Mr. Rosenbaum staunchly believes that Gerald Robinson did not kill Sister Margaret Ann Pahl.
Sylvania, Ohio

Aug. 3, 2008