Keywords by David Yonke

Interesting how things can disappear, like police reports and arrest records. Especially if the criminal has the right connections.
I don't want to name any names in this space, but a certain person who was in the news in Toledo last weekend for an alleged sexual crime had been arrested nine years ago for a sexual crime in a small town in northwest Ohio.
That much is certain.
But there is no official record of the arrest. No court documents. No one in law-enforcement can remember making the arrest.
The offender was sentenced at the time to community service, after which his record was "expunged." Poof! All gone.
This brings to mind the case of Father Robert Thomas, who was arrested for a sex act in the men's room of a Toledo mall in 1984.
All copies of the report mysteriously disappeared. None is on file with the police, and there is no sign of the arrest in court archives.
Toledo Police Officer Bill Gray, however, made a copy of that police report. He knew the other copies would vanish.
Officer Gray's documentation led to a newspaper article in 2002. Father Thomas, in the meantime, had moved to Arizona where he had been a priest for nearly 20 years. The week the story of his 1984 arrest was published in 2002, his Arizona bishop removed him from ministry.
Sometimes justice has to leap a few hurdles and endure some delays.
* * *
On a whole different topic, I saw a rare sight today: a Jeep with muddy tires.
* * *
Happy tax day everyone. Hope you get yours in on time and get a fat refund. Or maybe even a phat refund?
Happy birthday to brother in law Ed. His birthday's easy to remember.

Toledo, Ohio
April 15, 2008

Strange that the Pope and the Dalai Lama were in the United States at the same time. It sure made life busy for religion journalists. I personally didn't leave Toledo to cover the Pope's first trip to the United States, but wrote a preview of the visit by talking to people from the area who were going to see him in New York or Washington.
There are 303,000 Roman Catholics in northwest Ohio and a papal visit is a big deal not only for them but for many non-Catholics as well. It's also a very positive story about a religious group that has gotten lots of negative coverage over the last few years.
To be honest, I don't particularly enjoy covering such media spectacles, because they are crazy scenes with lots of hassles, people pushing and shoving, bad views or being stuck in a "media room" watching things on TV, tyrannical p.r. people, no time to eat, etc., etc. It seems like every reporter in the world converges on the scene and a medium sized midwestern paper gets lost in the shuffle. I know, however, that readers enjoy a local presence on international events, from elections to golf tournaments to papal visits, and I would have been glad to do it.
It's not surprising, however, since I've taken four out-of-state trips in nearly 8 years as religion editor, and 3 of them were by car. (I'm not talking about Ann Arbor or Detroit, which are less than an hour away.)
* * *
The most significant thing Pope Benedict XVI did during his visit was to meet with victims of clerical sexual abuse. I can say from personal experience that this kind of meeting can have a profound effect on someone. Victims need to be listened to.
* * *
I did get the opportunity to drive to Ann Arbor to cover the Dalai Lama. With all the news lately about Tibet and China, his local visit was a bigger event than it would be normally. I'm glad I got to go and write about it for our readers. Andy Morrison took some fantastic photos and I was glad to see they got a good display in print.
The Dalai Lama's visit was, unfortunately, a bit of a snoozer, in my opinion. He is an amazing person and has a great attitude and incredible wisdom. But I was not interested in hearing him speak in Tibetan about esoteric Buddhist doctrine, and I can't believe too many people who were in Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor were interested in that either.
* * *
I wrote an article for tomorrow's paper about the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." It turned out to be a fascinating story about a documentary film, starring Ben Stein, alleging that academics are persecuted if they express any doubts about evolution or show any support for intelligent design (aka "ID").
I believe the story will generate a lot of response because people feel so strongly about these issues, whether they are for or against evolution or ID.
* * *
I played golf for the first time this season yesterday, a scrambles event at the South Toledo Golf Course benefiting the University of Toledo's Communications Department.
Our team score was pretty pathetic, but we had fun. I hit the ball well for the first time out, but found myself in the unusual position of having to make a lot of clutch hits. E.g., my three teammates would all miss the green and then it was my turn to hit. Usually I'm the 3rd or 4th best player on a scrambles team and nobody's counting on me to produce the big shot. I came through quite a few times but also failed miserably a couple of times. We ended up shooting a 78, 6 over par. Last time I played a scrambles my team was 12 or 13 under par. But I did win a few neat door prizes, including a 2 gb flash drive, something I'd been wanting to buy.
No matter what the score, it's always a wonderful thing to be out on a golf course with friends when the weather is nice. I just love the atmosphere, the conversation, and the relentless challenge of golf.
Toledo, Ohio
April 27, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI's first trip across the Atlantic as pope was a very genuine and spiritually uplifting visit, not just for American Catholics but for the country as a whole.
I enjoyed watching the Pope on EWTN and CNN as he greeted Americans and spoke at various events, celebrated Mass and at the two ballparks, and prayed at Ground Zero. He is an eloquent and inspired speaker and I would have loved to have reported the papal visit in person instead of watching him on TV in Toledo.
I say this now because I may have given the wrong impression the other day when I called the papal trip a "media spectacle." I meant no reflection on the nature of the visit or the pope's importance, but on my own experiences covering major news events. It is a challenge and a hassle to jostle with the world's media on such big stories, but I would have gladly done it if at all possible.
I did get to cover Pope John Paul II's visit to Toronto for World Youth Day in 2002. That was a memorable event and despite the difficulties covering the events I am glad I was there.
PJP2 was an extraordinary man in the right place at the right time and surely will go down in history as one of the greatest world leaders of the 20st century.
* * *
Short summer? It's 35 degrees out right now! Tomorrow it is supposed to get down to 31. The weather has been absolutely crazy. Maybe God is spinning a big wheel up there and sending us whatever it lands on, a completely random selection.
Sylvania, Ohio
April 29, 2008

I am getting bombarded with emails, some full of hatred and profanity, about my article on Ben Stein's movie 'Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.' You can can read the article here.
I knew I was wading into a quagmire by even writing this article but I also felt it was a story that needed to be written.
Without taking sides on the controversial topic of evolution/intelligent design, I believe the vast majority of movie reviews I read about 'Expelled' were so biased and twisted that nobody seemed willing to give the film a fair shake.
Funny how the same moviemaking tactics used by Michael Moore in his popular documentaries are lauded by the media.
On 'Expelled,' it looks to me as though the reviewers' liberal bias got in the way of fairness. That's one reason I decided to write the article: the media coverage was embarrassing to me and I thought someone should try to present a balanced perspective. The other reason was simply that I was getting so many emails from local churches and laypersons rallying in support of the movie that I knew it would be of interest. Sure enough, the article was No. 2 on the newspaper's website yesterday (behind a breaking news murder story).
Incidentally, my article started out as a fairly small story slated for the religion page but gained momentum as the details unfolded, winding up at the top of yesterday's main news "A" section.
Meanwhile, I'm sure I haven't heard the last of the comments about my coverage of this polarizing issue -- as friend and foe alike will keep writing.
Toledo, Ohio
April 29, 2008

Sometimes I get off track at work with all the phone calls, emails, letters, visitors, going out on assignments, etc., etc. Yesterday I really goofed because I forgot about an interview with one of my favorite musical artists, the incomparable Amy Grant. I couldn't believe it! I was waiting for her to call and then I got distracted and missed it. Fortunately, she left a message and called back in five minutes. I apologized but she brushed it off, no big deal.

Amy Grant, to me, is one of the most important musical artists and influences of my time. She singlehandedly brought contemporary Christian music to the fore in the 1980s with progressive, entertaining and, at the same time, inspirational albums, such as "Unguarded" and "Lead Me On."

In concert, she has always had a rocking band (that at one time included a then-unknown Michael W. Smith on keyboards), top-notch lights and sound, and an overall great show. Nobody else in Christian music was performing with that level of excellence and investing so much into the concerts.
To think Amy signed her first record deal at 15 -- I still remember her folky Christian song "My Father's Eyes" -- and has been releasing albums for 30 years is amazing.
I was impressed yesterday with the way she just matter-of-factly volunteered the fact that she was 47 now. Most female artists dodge the age issue even if it is a widely known fact for most celebrities.
I've met Amy Grant a couple of times and interviewed her probably 10 times over the years and she is always a great interview and a kind, considerate person. I only wish I had had more time yesterday to talk to her because she is a deep thinker and incredibly honest and transparent. Over the years, she has admitted her mistakes and the fact that she has stumbled a few times in life, but she never claimed to be perfect. Amy is about as "real" as it gets and I greatly appreciate her honesty and sincerity. I think most Christians can relate to her as a real person and a role model.
Amy Grant will be in concert at the Ritz Theatre in Tiffin, Ohio, on Thursday, May 8, with a six-person band. It will be a great show and I hope I can make it there. I'll be writing about her for the Weekender tab that runs the day of the show.
* * *
I wrote an article yesterday about St. James Catholic Church in Kansas, Ohio, but it was held because there was not much space in today's paper. It'll run tomorrow instead.

Toledo, Ohio
April 30, 2008

The list of finalists for the Religion Newswriters Association's "journalist of the year" awards has just been released. I am glad to say I am a finalist in the mid-sized newspapers category.
I thought I had a strong portfolio for 2007 but you never know about such things. For one thing, I am always busy doing my daily job and don't have the luxury to spend a lot of time on any one story or series. In addition, I get virtually no travel budget to cover things out of town or out of state or out of the country, which often leads to some of the most inspiring stories.
But of course I realize many of my colleagues are in the same boat -- some, not all.
The other reason I don't get my hopes up is that I don't write with contests in mind. I write for the newspaper readers, not contest judges. I know some journalists who are always thinking of what they need to do to write something that will win a contest. Awards do give a reporter a certain amount of prestige and respect, which is good -- maybe even necessary -- for some people's egos. The competition is pretty fierce and there are many terrific religion reporters out there.
For me, contests are incidental. I do my job as a reporter/editor and when contest time rolls around, I go back and sort things out and hope I find something worth entering.
A lot of years, I don't even submit any entries. This system may be backwards in regard to contests, but I think it's the best way to do the job right.
Well, as they say in Hollywood, it's an honor just to be nominated. Time will tell if I come home with an award this year (unlike last year, when I was a finalist but came home empty-handed).
* * *
I wrote an article for tomorrow's paper about a new book by Bishop V. Gene Robinson, who wrote that he is willing to take a stand and put up with all kinds of personal attacks because he believes God is calling him to do something -- be the first openly gay and noncelibate bishop in the Episcopal Church.
I don't have the same interpretation of scripture as Bishop Robinson when it comes to homosexuality, but I do think that taking a stand and putting up with flak can be the only option for someone of courage and conviction. He said he wore a bulletproof vest to his consecration. That speaks volumes and I respect him for that.
In fact, I can relate to Bishop Robinson for standing up for something he believes will ultimately result in the greater good. He was willing to face death threats rather than take the easy way out and avoid the issue, or hope that someone else will step in and take the heat instead of him.
When people read news reports they don't like, the knee-jerk reaction is to blame the messenger. Attacking a reporter is always easier than facing up to the issues or fixing the problems. I don't mind. In fact, I consider it a sign that I'm doing a good job.
Toledo, Ohio
May 2, 2008

A colleague sent me a link to a website that has been set up to encourage people to pray for newspapers and journalists.
Here's the link.
The web site points out that this is a turbulent and troubling time for the newspaper industry, and asks people to pray for all those who are affected by the cutbacks, layoffs, and other changes.
Times definitely are difficult economically for journalists and newspapers, and although I believe the news business will always be here, the format and medium may shift significantly in the coming years.
Anyone who takes the time to organize a site where people are praying for newspapers and for journalists, is A-OK in my book.
Prayer can change things, and it can help you through the changes.

Toledo, Ohio
May 19, 2008

Every once in a while, I write an article that I think will rile people up but get little or no response. Then you write what you think will be a noncontroversial, feel-good story and it sets some readers off.
Such was the case with my story about the Sisters of Saint Francis in Sylvania holding a ceremony with local Muslims, including Imam Farooq Abo-Elzahab, to bless an icon depicting the historic 13th century meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malek al-Kamil of Egypt. (You can read it here.)
Father Patrick Rohen of Sandusky wrote a scathing letter to the editor saying the nuns did not represent the church when they performed the blessing, and added that "these liberal gals," as he put it, should be granted a dispensation to leave the church and convert to Islam. (Here is a link.)
The vitriol caught me by surprise. I know Father Patrick fairly well and have a lot of respect for him. But in this case, I have to politely disagree.
I don't think interfaith dialogue or even a blessing ceremony means that people are undermining their own beliefs; rather, the willingness to work together in pursuit of peace with people of different religious traditions and beliefs is something that strengthens one's own faith and makes the world a little better place to live.
The way I see it, dialogue and discussion are preferable to hatred, isolationism, and violence any time.
* * *
Got a call from Ron Moore today. He's playing a concert at St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Rossford.
Ron said he coined the term "contemporary Christian music" when he was a critic and that he was in on the ground floor of the Jesus rock movement along with Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill.
He converted to Eastern Orthodoxy in 1995 and now plays concerts at Orthodox churches around the world.
A very interesting and unique ministry, indeed.
Had I known more about him and if I had not been out of town until yesterday, I would have enjoyed interviewing him and writing a profile about this unusual troubador.
* * *
Tonight the movie "Sex and the City" opens in theaters and except for one brief twist of fate I would have absolutely no interest in this film. I've never seen the TV show although you can't avoid commercials for the movie and reruns of the show.
But last September when I was in New York City with my wife we took a stroll through Greenwich Village and came up on a street lined with movie studio trailers. It was night time and pretty quiet but it was obvious something was going on here. Turns out they were filming "Sex and the City." Janet and I chatted with a young starlet for 10 or 15 minutes. She said her name was Jehira, but I didn't ask how to spell it. She was sweet and polite and fun to talk to and very attractive. So I was thinking that maybe I would actually go to see the movie just to see her in it.
Then I looked at the movie's credits on imdb.com and there's nobody listed whose name even remotely looks like Jehira. I guess that means she has a really small part. Not enough to get me to pay $10 for a movie ticket, that's for sure.
If I do go to the theater tonight it will be to see old faithful Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Ex-Lax (Ha, sorry, Indy ol' man, just kidding about the title).
* * *
Sad to read that Harvey Korman passed away. He was a brilliant comic actor who brought many laughs to millions of people. I used to watch him on The Carol Burnett Show when I was a kid, sitting on the couch with my Mom, laughing at their zany skits. He was terrific.
* * *
Another star who left this mortal coil recently was Sydney Pollack, one of the top directors in Hollywood, who died May 26. I remember him so well as an actor in Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives." His most celebrated movies as director included the landmark films "Out of Africa" and "Tootsie."

Toledo, Ohio
May 30, 2008

I've had a lot of strange encounters in my life but probably nothing as bizarre as last week's "interview" with Padre Pio, the Italian Catholic saint who died in 1968.
A Toledo-area woman says she "channels" the late saint, and when I went to do the interview her brother insisted that when Padre Pio appeared I should ask him questions.
I am rarely at a loss for questions but this one caught me by surprise. What would you ask a dead man?

Well, I interviewed the woman in her "normal" state and then when Padre Pio appeared, I asked him some questions. It was quite interesting but I won't say more until the article is published, which I have tentatively scheduled for July 5th.

Toledo, Ohio
June 22, 2008

Yesterday afternoon, busy as always, juggling a couple dozen projects at work, my mind going in a million directions, the phone rang and snapped me out of my dreamstate.
Rinnnggggg!
OK, who was calling?
I had made a lot of calls and was waiting for them to be returned.
In addition to the usual suspects, I was expecting important calls from two different Marks -- Mark Bryan, guitarist with Hootie & the Blowfish whom I've known for 14 years, or Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.
Rinnnggggg!
I scramble for my notes, needing to be ready whoever is at the other end of the line.
Bishop Hollingsworth is leading a 250-mile bike ride across Ohio next week. He is elusive, hard to get on the phone or in person. The Episcopals are caught in a maelstrom of sorts over the ordination of homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions.
The bishop is clearly along the liberal edge of this divide. He's kind of a gentle man and I think he avoids the media because of all the controversy over these issues. But knowing that I was just writing a feel-good story about the bike ride, he was willing to talk.
Rinnnggggg!
Mark Bryan is one of the nicest rock stars you'll ever meet. I met him and the rest of Hootie in October, 1994, when they played a small club in Toledo. Months later, their album "Cracked Rear View" just "blew up" and became a phenomenon, selling 16 million copies.
Mark, Darius, Dean and Soni kept their heads on straight and I've always enjoyed their company. I even played golf and videogames with them.
Usually I don't do my music interviews during my normal work hours, preferring to schedule them in my off time, but this time I was on a deadline and couldn't be too fussy.
Rinnnggggg!
Hello, David? It's Bishop Mark Hollingsworth...
See the story this Saturday. Mark Bryan called me this morning, it was just like old times. Spoke with him and Darius, looking forward to seeing them in Toledo.
Life in journalism has its drawbacks but one thing for sure, it's never dull.
* * *
Toledo, Ohio
June 26, 2008

I attended a brief seminar yesterday demonstrating some new services being offered by the Associated Press to its members.
The program was for journalists, but I believe it is a sign of what is to come for newspapers in general and how they will be providing information to readers.
The basic idea is that AP is offering full access to all of its articles to reporters and editors, who can then choose to filter the "firehose" of information to receive stories and photos on specific topics.
These advanced, personalized menus could search for anything from Cleveland Indians baseball scores to articles about Pope Benedict XVI or Fidel Castro. You build a database of daily articles that are of interest and helpful to you and your job.
These articles can be accessed on any computer or smart phone, although the only phone now linked to the service is Apple's iPhone (but the rest will follow).
Turning this around to the consumer angle, I believe that's how newspapers will provide information to readers in the not-too-distant future.
You may want to know about celebrity gossip and chicken recipes; the guy next door might want stock tickers and crime news. Your sister wants the editorials, letters to the editor, and news on the Middle East. Each person can have his or her "personalized" newspaper delivered electronically to whatever device is most convenient.
Yes, Virginia, yesterday's AP demonstration looked to me like it might herald the future of the newspaper industry. I give AP a lot of credit for its vision, forward thinking and proactive approach to the imminent changes coming in this fast-moving information age.
* * *
Sylvania, Ohio
July 9, 2008

I am juggling a number of stories at the moment for different destinations.
For Saturday's paper:
1. A nonprofit group called Operation Worship is sending Bibles with hand-written notes inside to U.S. servicemen and women around the world. The organizers hoped to "deploy" 100,000 Bibles in 100 days starting June 1. They reached that goal in less than a month.
2. Del Tackett of Focus on the Family teaches a course called "The Truth Project," which I happened to be studying via video and guidebook in a small group setting through my church. I got an email saying Dr. Tackett was available for interviews so I jumped on it, he's a remarkable teacher with great insight.
3. A "Faith Notes" column looking over some new spiritual media, books, mags, CDs, etc.
4. A Toledo native and Christian comedian who tours with a Muslim and a Jewish comedian
5. "The Shack" novel, almost done with this one and it is such an amazing story!
6. The revival in Lakeland, Florida, that is drawing so many people it's become a phenomenon.
There's a lot more but that's just a little peek. I'm also setting up an interview with terrible Ted Nugent, one of the most entertaining artists you'll ever meet.
Terrific story on Billy Joel in last Sunday's New York Times (here's a link). I've interviewed Billy a number of times and he is always great to talk to. He played a concert last night at Shea Stadium, where I used to go watch the Amazin' Mets when I was just a kid... They're tearing it down after this season and Joel, a fellow Long Islander, was the perfect choice to bid farewell to this not-very-pretty stadium.
A little trivia: Billy played at my high school in New York in the late 1960s with his band The Hassles. When I saw him backstage at the Palace in 1994 I gave him a copy of the Hassles' album that had just been released on CD. He hadn't seen it yet.
He said there was a song on there where the producer changed one word and put himself down as a co-writer. I laughed and said well it's a lesson learned and he laughed and said no, he should have but didn't learn... this was just after he found out his brother in law had ripped him off of virtually everything he owned. He has since rebuilt his fortune ... in fact the Times article says he bought his 29-year-old wife a $16 million house in the Hamptons for her birthday.
* * *
Toledo, Ohio
July 17, 2008

This blog is the topic of a column today written by ombudsman Jack Lessenberry. Here's a link.
I think Shakespeare's famous line from Hamlet is an appropriate response: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
Sylvania, Ohio
July 20, 2008

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.

* * *
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

Here are letters from two members of the Toledo chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests that were published in the Blade's letters to the editor section today. They both were penned in response to the recent column by Blade ombudsman Jack Lessenberry about my personal blog (see previous entries).
One colleague asked me today if the letters were written to support me or to attack the Toledo diocese. I really can't say. But logically, these two objectives do not necessarily present an either-or situation. The same would be true of the reverse.
I'm grateful that people care enough to take the time to write a letter to the editor.-- David

Attack on messenger a diversion

Ombudsman Jack Lessenberry’s recent column about Toledo Catholic Diocese officials challenging the objectivity of The Blade’s religion editor, David Yonke, left me wondering if this isn’t this another example of “shoot the messenger” used as a tactical diversion.

Do diocesan officials really think that no one remembers when their public relations director publicly discredited Jane Doe’s allegations against now-convicted murderer Gerald Robinson after she spoke up?

Do Catholic church leaders really think no one remembers their smear campaign alleging violations of confidentiality against their own review board’s psychologist, who went to law enforcement to report crimes?

What about the church official sanctioned by the state social worker licensing board for publicly challenging a survivor and youth minister’s “stability” in working with kids after he spoke up?

What’s Jane Doe need to make her complaint viable? Credibility.

What’s the hallmark of a psychologist’s profession? Confidentiality.

What’s paramount when working with kids? Stability.

What’s required of journalists? Objectivity.

When diocesan officials attack the character of the messenger, it’s the cheapest damage control available.

Why? Because it shifts, even if only momentarily, the focus away from the ongoing clergy sexual abuse scandal and cover-up by top diocesan officials that has spanned decades. Let’s not forget the two no-knock search warrants executed on the bishop’s office when church leaders cried victim and foul play.

Aren’t three books, one documentary, and two docu-dramas illuminating sex crimes against local kids, cover-up, and collusion much more telling?

How does discrediting every person who dares to speak the truth about the sex crimes and cover-up within my diocese protect kids or negate what’s still happening?

Claudia Yvonne Vercellotti
Co-DirectorToledo SNAP Chapter
====================================

Spokesman upset at the wrong things

Toledo Catholic Diocese spokesman Sally Oberski is upset again. The last time she was upset The Blade reported that the Revs. Frank Murd and Tim Kummerer were arrested for public indecency in the 1990s.

She wasn’t upset that these priests had been secretly working around children with few people knowing of their arrests. She wasn’t upset that Father Murd had admitted engaging in sexual activity in a public place.

Come to think of it. Ms. Oberski is never publicly upset about the crimes or sexual misconduct committed by priests. She never publicly discusses the immorality of their conduct. She never discusses how these priests have broken their promises of celibacy, betrayed their positions of trust, and harmed people.

But she is upset again and has resorted to the tired old tactic of blaming the messenger. Usually she is upset with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and other advocates. Now she is upset with The Blade’s religion editor, David Yonke.

Who’s she kidding? Ms. Oberski’s job is defending the indefensible and amounts to little more than “spinning” clergy sexual crimes and misconduct.

In the case of Father Kummerer, she used her position to plead that priests who are arrested for public indecency don’t deserve “humiliation.” In the case of Father Murd, she reminded us that despite his admission he may be returned to ministry. Last year, she used her position to remind us that the Rev. David Nuss did not violate the Dallas Charter because his sexual misconduct did not involve a child.

When will Ms. Oberski stop blaming the messenger and starting using her position to do some good?

Linda Waters
Sandusky

I am pleased to announce that yours truly has been named the best religion reporter in Ohio in the 2008 contest sponsored by the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists. It was for overall reporting, not a specific article.

The Blade won a total of 12 awards including three other first-place trophies. Two of the paper's first-place winners have since left for jobs elsewhere, unfortunately (Christopher Borrelli and Robin Erb). You can read the full SPJ list here or the article in The Blade here.

It's nice to be recognized for your work by peers who know what kind of effort and expertise are required.

* * *
Toledo, Ohio
August 30, 2008

H. L. Mencken was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 12, 1880, and worked for the Baltimore Morning Herald and Baltimore Sun newspapers.

As a keen-eyed, tough-talking and sharp-witted reporter, editor, and author, Mencken is one of my journalism and writing heroes.

Here are a few notable Mencken quotes:

"Nature abhors a moron"

"Life is a dead-end street."

"When women kiss it always reminds one of prize-fighters shaking hands."

"A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier."

"In my day a reporter who took an assignment was wholly on his own until he got back to the office, and even then he was little molested until his copy was turned in at the desk; today he tends to become only a homunculus at the end of a telephone wire, and the reduction of his observations to prose is commonly farmed out to literary castrati who never leave the office, and hence never feel the wind of the world in their faces or see anything with their own eyes."

"Opera in English is, in the main, just about as sensible as baseball in Italian."

"Whenever a husband and a wife begin to discuss their marriage
they are giving evidence at a coroner's inquest."

"The allurement that women hold out to men is precisely the allurement that Cape Hatteras holds out to sailors: they are enormously dangerous and hence enormously fascinating."

"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart."

"Unitarianism, a movement typical of the modern effort to get rid of Hell, it is not a kind of Christianity at all, but simply a mattress for skeptical ex-Christians to fall on."

"It costs more to maintain ten vices than one virtue."

"Before a man speaks it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks, it is seldom necessary to assume it."

"Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body."

"Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking."

"Creator—A comedian whose audience is afraid to laugh."

* * *
Toledo, Ohio
Sept. 8, 2008

... to a newspaper near you...
I am working on a story about the second annual Red Mass, slated for all members of the legal community, to be held in Toledo at Rosary Cathedral on Sept. 18.
There are other "specialty" Masses as well: a Mass for firefighters and a Mass for deacons the same week, and in October there will be a White Mass for medical workers. Last year, there was a Blue Mass for law-enforcement workers.
I think these are wonderful, I just think they should be scheduled in the right order, according to American culture: Red, White & Blue.
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Sylvania, Ohio
Sept. 9, 2008

I am in Washington, DC, attending a conference of the Religion Newswriters Association.
We spent the whole day at workshops on reporting on Islam and Muslims.
There were some very interesting moments and some great speakers, although much of the discussion was pretty basic -- for reporters who don't know much about Islam. Having covered this topic for 8 years now, there wasn't much new material for me.
Still, there were great "human interest" stories, such as Jamie Tarabay, an Australian who was a war correspondent in Iraq and also worked as a correspondent in Jerusalem. She is in the USA covering religion and reporting feature stories for NPR.
And Anisa Mehdi, a documentary filmmaker, also was fascinating and a very dynamic speaker.
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Yesterday I had a chance to stroll around the city and sat in on a session of Congress in which Representatives were debating the energy bill. Very interesting.
A memorable moment occurred while I was walking on the Ellipse and President Bush's helicopter flew overhead, then landed on the White House's South Lawn. Actually two identical helicopters flew by, one apparently a decoy.

Small World Department:
Outside the White House, I ran into a group of 8th graders and their chaperones from Christ the King Parish in Toledo.
At the airport, I bumped into Jamey and Rachel Schmitz from Toledo. Jamey, the CEO and GM of WLMB-TV in Toledo, is in town for an NRB conference.
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I was quite surprised to get an email note about Ray Boltz, the Christian singer from Indiana who wrote the classic song "Thank You."
Ray has "come out of the closet" to announce that he is gay. Here is a link to the well-written article. It also mentions that Kirk Talley has been "struggling" with his sexual orientation but still sings gospel music in the church.
Boltz has retired from performing. I've interviewed Boltz a few times when he lived in Indiana. After he told his wife and four grown children, he got a divorce and moved to Fort Lauderdale.
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Got a call today from some concerned citizen regarding Dennis Gray, the former Toledo priest who had more sexual-abuse lawsuits against him than any other local cleric in the diocese.
The caller said Gray recently applied for a job working with troubled youngsters, but did not get the job.
Apparently news coverage of the abuse lawsuits against Gray has not been forgotten.

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Washington, D.C.
Sept. 17, 2008

It's been a whirlwind week here in Washington, with panel discussions and lectures running continuously from early morning until late at night. The Religion Newswriters Association packs a lot into your day, and it's understood that you don't come here to just hang out and socialize, but to gather as much helpful information as possible in a relatively short period of time.

Here are a few brief items of interest:

I am sitting in a conference at the moment on "sourcing Islam the new way." The speaker, Shaheed Amanullah, is the creator of the website altmuslim.com. At first glance, it seems to be a very practical site that offers real-life inside information on American Muslims.

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Earlier today, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington spoke on the challenges of Catholic education and a statistician from Georgetown's CARA reviewed the data on American Catholic schools over the years.

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Last night we toured the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic church in the Americas and one of the 10 largest churches in the world. It is the shrine where Pope Benedict XVI met with American bishops during his visit to the U.S.
An interesting artifact on display in this magnificent church: A page torn from the guest book that Pope Benedict signed, listing his address as "Vatican City."
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Among yesterday's presentations was a panel discussion on atheism and secular humanism. I do think that these groups are misunderstood. People can be moral and good citizens, concerned for the betterment of society, without believing in God. One speaker said he believes the United States is a secular humanist nation -- citing separation of church and state, and valuing the dignity of the individual.
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Jay Sekulow of the ACLJ and Rev. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church of Dallas held an entertaining debate on religion and presidential candidates. Sekulow is an expert on the First Amendment while Jeffress is basically a fundamentalist pastor.
Sekulow said a candidate's religion does impact his decisionmaking but said it's more important where a candidate stands on the issues than what his personal beliefs may be. He gave as an example Jimmy Carter being a born-again Christian and a Democrat who supported Roe v. Wade, while Mitt Romney is a Mormon and a Republican who is staunchly pro-life.
Jeffress repeatedly called Mormonism a "cult" and a "false religion" and said he could never support a candidate who represents such a group because it would endanger people's eternal destiny.
It got pretty crazy with these two strong personalities and a roomful of journalists.
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I went to a preview screening of "Fireproof," a new movie coming out Sept. 26 starring Kirk Cameron. It was made by the Kendrick brothers, two pastors from Albany, Ga., who got started in filmmaking with a $20,000 movie called "Flywheel," which led to a larger project, "Facing the Giants," made for $100,000 in 2006.
The brothers had a $500,000 budget for "Fireproof" and it really is a quality movie that is unapologetically evangelical and yet not cheesy or amateurish. It's about a couple who are headed for divorce but the husband, a firefighter played by Cameron, has a change of heart and tries to salvage the marriage. His wife is reluctant at first but not surprisingly the movie has a happy ending.
Some friends of mine went and sat close to the exit with the idea that they could slip out if the movie was boring. They ended up staying for the whole thing.
Writer Stephen Kendrick was there to answer questions and said they don't make movies for awards or critics but to change lives.
This is one of the best Christian movies ever made, with a good story, some humor, and quality production.
Everybody says "The Passion of The Christ" opened the door for Hollywood to produce more Christian films. It will be interesting to see how well "Fireproof" does in theaters -- I think it will be a test of whether there really is a market for high-quality, family-friendly original Christian movies.

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September 20, 2008
Washington, D.C.

I was humbled and honored to place second in the George W. Cornell Religion Writer of the Year Award, an international contest for religion journalists.
I picked up the award Saturday night in D.C. and an announcement was published today in The Blade. You can read it here.
You don't write articles in order to enter contests, but obviously it is nice to be recognized for your work.
When the winners were being announced and I was a finalist, a colleague asked me if I had a speech prepared. That inspired me to make a little inside joke when I was at the podium.
First, a little background: Michael Gerson, the renowned Washington Post columnist and longtime G.W. Bush speechwriter, was one of the speakers at the Religion Newswriters Association's conference. So when I went up to the microphone, I said: "I tried to get Michael Gerson to write my acceptance speech, but he managed to slip out of the ballroom before I could corner him."
It worked that night, but I don't know if it's funny outside the RNA conference.
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One of the big topics at the conference, both officially and unofficially was online journalism and blogging. We are on the cusp of a new era as technology reshapes the distribution of news and information. But nobody knows exactly how it's going to shake out and how to shift gears. It's kind of like trying to change the momentum of a supertanker.
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Toledo, Ohio
Sept. 23, 2008

Quote of the Day:

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands -- and then eat just one of the pieces." -- Judith Viorst

Tomorrow is E-Day, finally. I am so tired of all the political attacks and rhetoric and ill will that I will just be glad when it's over. The die is cast, let's roll it and see where it lands. I think most people are weary of this incredibly long campaign. As one person put it yesterday, I'm "poli-ticked off."
A friend of mine was in town for a wedding (more about that in a minute) on Saturday and he lives in the Chicago area. He said he has not seen one political ad on TV and hardly any candidates come to Chicago. I knew we were getting the mega-dose being in a swing state but I didn't realize how big the difference was. Campaign ads are on the air almost constantly. Candidates or prominent supporters hit town every other day.
For local journalists, especially at a time when newspapers are cutting back on staffing, it's been exceptionally tiring.
I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. There's not much more I can do at this point, except cast my vote tomorrow. I have no interest in voting early, but I saw on the news last night that people waited in long lines to vote two days before the election. I've never had to wait long at my polling place. We'll see how that goes tomorrow.
Whatever your preferences are, just be sure to vote!
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About the wedding: I was a groomsman at the wedding Saturday night of Ken Leslie, a friend who has devoted a lot of time and energy to helping the homeless. He and his bride, Norma, got married under a big tent at the "Tent City" project downtown, an outreach Ken started years ago to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless and to provide services to them including eye, dental and medical care as well as food.
It was a most unusual wedding, to say the least, but a perfect setting for Ken and Norma. A Catholic priest participated in the ceremony as well as a Foursquare Gospel minister and a pastor of a nondenominational Christian church.
Lots of homeless people were in the seats and cheered Ken on, knowing him so well from his volunteer work.
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Last Thursday, I met Elie Wiesel and covered his lecture at the University of Toledo. He is one of my heroes, as are all the Holocaust survivors I have met. Professor Wiesel, who turned 80 recently, was most gracious and invited me to visit him any time I'm in New York City.
He gave a terrific talk about what humanity has learned or failed to learn from history. We have made many mistakes but there are some positive signs.
I was glad to see that the auditorium was completely full, with an overflow area set up to accommodate more via closed circuit TV. But the downside is that someone complained to me that they got to the hall with their children an hour and a half before the lecture and were turned away. I feel terrible for the woman and her children, but I realize it's hard to anticipate the turnout for an unticketed event like this. The auditorium seated 1,600 so this was a huge crowd.
Here are links to the articles I wrote in advance of his speech and the reporting on his lecture.
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Sylvania, Ohio
Nov. 3, 2004