Yesterday I highlighted the distortions and errors in Michael Sean Winters’ reporting on Archbishop Charles J. Chaput’s recent address at Notre Dame. Now the author of the original news report , Ann Carey, has commented on my post. Carey points out that in his rush to criticize Chaput, Winters “created his own question for the answer he quoted”:
The news article that was distorted by Winters was written by me. I had not seen the Winters commentary until I read your blog. I have posted a comment under the Winters piece at NCR indicating my displeasure at his unfairness to Arbp. Chaput and my displeasure that he distorted my news story. You are absolutely right: Winters created his own question for the answer he quoted. Furthermore, the archbishop never used the word “coward” about his fellow bishops, nor did he imply that. He simply said there was disagreement about how to approach the issue, something anyone who was paying attention for the past few years knew already. Arbp. Chaput was very open and engaging in his interaction with the students at Notre Dame; it’s realy too bad that his reward is to be mischaracterized by people who disagree with him.
As of this posting, Carey’s comment at the National Catholic Reporter has not been published. Here’s hoping that Winters publishes her comment and acknowledges his regrettable distortions.
Update: A second comment by Carey has now been published on Winters’ post. Credit where it’s due.
