Commonweal

[morostheos]

Also, does anyone know if the mention of JPII's baroque enthusiasm for Mary might be referencing the period of time rather than saying it's excessive and outdated (the coloquial use of the word)?

[Socrates]

[quote name='morostheos' date='Mar 7 2006, 07:51 PM']Also, does anyone know if the mention of JPII's baroque enthusiasm for Mary might be referencing the period of time rather than saying it's excessive and outdated (the coloquial use of the word)?
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I don't think so!

The baroque period in art was in the 17th century. John Paul II lived in the 20th/21st centuries.
"Baroque" refers to a style of art and music from that time, not to theology or Marian devotion.

The liberal author of this article clearly wants a stripped-down "rationalistic" version of the Catholic Faith.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Socrates' date='Mar 7 2006, 09:57 PM']The liberal author of this article clearly wants a stripped-down "rationalistic" version of the Catholic Faith.
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Let's build a bridge out of 'im!

[Mateo el Feo]

[quote name='morostheos' date='Mar 7 2006, 08:43 PM']hmmm...would you recommend I write the author about the issues I had with the article?  I suppose that would be more productive than merely whining about it in an online forum.
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My own personal opinion (note: I'm pretty much Mr. Non-Confrontational) would be: if you have a brief factual question (requiring a brief answer), and you ask it charitably, you should ask away.

In my case, for example, he made an assertion about Vatican II (i.e. it "cautioned against holding on to antiquated customs in religious life"). I asked him what text supported this position. He gave me an answer. And, while Paphnutius (of Phatmass) gave some great quotes to counter his position, I didn't think that it would have made sense to "argue" with the author over e-mail. Considering that he is a university professor, I was quite thankful that he took the time to answer an e-mail from a stranger.

My reading of the quotes you provided is that his tone was the issue. Pejorative comments are common in your quotes; for example: "banal aphorisms", "John Paul II’s rather baroque enthusiasm ", and "the recrudescence of these types of devotionalism", as if devotion was some kind of disease. Many of the SAT words that he used have belittling and/or negative connotations to those he is describing. Your quotes highlight this. Unfortunately, it's difficult or impossible to refute a negative connotation.

If your main issue is the tone, I suppose that some kind of cogent letter to the editor might be appropriate, if possible. But, I don't think that there is much in the way of facts to refute.