In a story posted yesterday on the ABC News website, ABCNEWS.com, reporter Sue Masterman ridiculed Catholicism in her report, “Holy Disorder: Kids Are Dressed to Thrill at the Vatican Bash.” Her article was based on the throngs of youths who have converged on Rome for World Youth Day. Here are some of her observations:
- “The Vatican’s strict dress code for visitors to St. Peter’s Church in Rome has collapsed….” Instead, there are “scantily clad pilgrims” wearing “hot pants, miniskirts, tube tops and other scanty clothing. Dogs, however, are another question. However well covered in fur, they have to stay outside. They have no souls to redeem, the church decrees, thus access is denied. No holy water for them.”
- Priests are hearing confessions “from all youngsters who want absolution from sins they have hardly had time to commit.”
- “If God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Holy Ghost are getting to see more than usual of the flesh which He created in places where the Roman Catholic clergy want it covered up, then it does not seem to be causing much divine offense.”
William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, offered his reaction:
“I called Beau Brendler, executive news editor of ABCNEWS.com, yesterday to discuss this matter. The message I left on his answering machine was not returned.
“What is most appalling about this article is its placement in the ‘hard news’ section of the website. This was not an editorial or news commentary. On the contrary, it was presented as factual reporting.
“I do not believe for one second that Masterman would snicker at any other religion. For some reason, she has it out for Catholicism. We will press this issue with ABC officials to find out what her problem is. We will also ask that she be subjected to appropriate sanctions.”
