How should a priest GMG contributor respond to "earthy" posts on GMG?

27 Comments

  • Deb - 11 years ago

    Like a seesaw, you are a balancing force to some of the posts that tip in the other direction. Stay. The blog is richer for your presence and more, now reflects the full spectrum from raw to reflective. I love your contributions. So stay, please.

  • Beth Welin - 11 years ago

    Please don't leave!!!!! Love your posts. Let your light and community spirit shine. I too don't bother reading posts I find questionable but love the community postings like yours.

  • Mary Ann - 11 years ago

    You are a light in the darkness,do not hide it.
    You add so much to the content, it would be a shame if you did not continue.

  • kathleen - 11 years ago

    Father -Please stay on
    love your input
    balances all the rest

  • Todd Tierney - 11 years ago

    Hi Father Green - I love the fact that you contribute comments and photos to this blog. It is one blog that I actually read all the time. It is always good to have a mix of views and activities highlighted on it. I also believe that it is better to drive change from the inside, then not to be involved.

  • Beth - 11 years ago

    Father Green, some of the posts recently have also made me uncomfortable. Poop really? But as others have commented I choose NOT to read them. I am new to the blog and so enjoy all the info on the commuity happenings. Your entries are among my favorites!!! I happily choose TO read them. I look forward to them. You must choose what is best for you of course, but your continued participation would be best for me :) Peace and Love!!

  • Larry Davis - 11 years ago

    You should follow your conscience, Father Greene, which I expect will have you continue to submit your posts for us that enjoy them. Maybe this is a way for you to serve beyond the walls of the church. Newsweek faced a similar choice after they were bought by the Daily Beast. Language that had not been considered appropriate for a news publication began being used. I felt that their jounalism should meet a higher bar of acceptance and wrote to them saying that I would not renew my subscription. Apparently, I was not alone, because their experiment silently disappeared after several weeks.

    I accept that some in the younger generations have a tendency to use words and expressions in conversations that many of we older folks find offensive and I appreciated that most of them edit themselves when they are around us. But the written word and the spoken word have always been somewhat different in that you know to whom you are speaking, but do not know who will be reading what is written, so the standard is usually bent toward a wider audience.

    It is Joey's blog and he has, and should have, total editorial decision about what is included, and so far, it has been somewhat eclectically delightful. Joey should also follow his own conscience about what to include and what to exclude.

  • Joe Ciarametaro - 11 years ago

    Thank you Father for the opportunity to say what has been on my mind for a long time. We ,as Catholics , Christians and all other good people, have let the so called politically correct people run all over us, and we do not fight back. We should stand up to all their crap, and fight back. If you see something on this blog that is off key, say so. Your contributions mean a lot to us. Thank you

  • Deb Bretton Robinson - 11 years ago

    Father Mathew, I feel your pain! I love Joey's Community content but am frankly sometimes mystified why he would partner it with such embarrassing sexual photos or commentary. I find it juvenile in the way certain 11 year old boys who have just discovered the practice must discuss among themselves. Personally I agree that it is Joey's blog and he can write whatever he wants, but he should decide who his target audience is...a community of adults that desire community news or an "adult" audience of soft porn? If there is another newsletter out there that gives us Gloucester with a better shine, please let me know. I will stop reading Joey's blog entirely.

  • Georgiann - 11 years ago

    Please, please continue with your contributions to GMG. I love your photos, articles and your voice. I always look forward to what you may post, especially your origami projects.

  • Cathie - 11 years ago

    Don't worry about it Fr. Matthew. I don't agree with many of the posts and if they aren't to my liking, I just don't read them.

  • Solange - 11 years ago

    no one forces you to read GMG , and you are free to pick and choose among the subjects, clearly titled . I think most of the readers understand that . So, Father, do not fret about your participation : it is of great importance, and it enriches everyone . your photos are beautiful and inspiring, and I am a fan and admirer of the origami, want to see more !
    Stay on, please, to our delight and instruction . you are needed and appreciated .

  • Tim Holloran - 11 years ago

    By definition, the GMG blog is "My view of Gloucester from the docks." Or words to that effect. The docks are pretty raw at times - OK most of the time. What we see here is a pretty good representation of that. What I don't think everyone expected is how GMG expanded to become more of an alternate news source, and how wide and diverse the readership would become. Apparently there is a pretty broad base of support for GMG, or clearly, the number of readers it has would be nowhere near the current numbers.

    While I am not Catholic, although I was born one, I made a conscious decision to split from the Church. That being said, for some reason I count quite a few Catholic Priests and Brothers among my circle of friends. One thing that I can see, but may not be as apparent to others is that priests and brothers are people, too, and I regard time spent with them, drink in hand, to be some of the high points of my days. Just because you are, say, and accountant by profession does NOT mean you have to spend all of your waking hours crunching numbers. You need to have a well rounded life to be a well rounded person. I certainly enjoy your contributions to the forum, and would be disappointed to see you leave. I do believe that GMG is not for everyone, and to them I say, "Move on if you find the waters too murky."

    Bottom line: Stay, if for no other reason than to keep Joey somewhat civil LOLOL!!

  • Christine Witham - 11 years ago

    Father- Simply because you do not agree with everything that is posted here is no reason to remove yourself from it. This is a public forum and of course there will be opinions that are expressed that do not necessarily jive with what you/the religious institution of which you are a member, believe in. That is what makes this country great though - the fact that we can still manage to coexist despite our differences. You make great contributions to this site! Your photos are beautiful and it would be a true pity if you stopped sharing them simply over differences of opinion or because things may seem slightly off-color to you. In this day and age we are blasted with all forms of media that may offend but you are not obligated to immerse yourself in them. If you choose to read/watch/listen to everything then be prepared to be offended but God Almighty also gave us the gift of free-will and that means that you can be selective and still share your gift of creativity.

  • Kathleen - 11 years ago

    Ditto to those above; your posts enrich my life and the blog! Please stay, and please post your displeasure when uncomfortable. Lately I have been wondering how others feel, so it is good to hear "the other side" to the vulgarity, and to know that I am not alone in objecting. I realize that it is Joey's blog, and he has a "take it or leave it" attitude; however, he has been very sarcastic and crtical to those who disagree. I am not a prude, but it has gone too far for me, as of late. Maybe your voice will have more influence, or at the very least, be comforting to the rest of us! I was wondering about you're continuing to participate, so I am glad you voiced your conflict. Many thanks, kh

  • jenna - 11 years ago

    God loves ad accepts all, i believe. The blog is Joey's blog and he can and should write whatever he wants to write. Do i love to hear about poop? No, so I dont read those posts and i would never suggest that others act differently to please me..i can control what i focus upon. If Joey were saying rasist or bully like things i would not be reading his blog anyway. Actually i have stopped a few times over the years when i found him to be bullying those who do not fit his ideal physical shape and/or wear clothing he disapproves of because that just fosters more bullying. Anyway, I ADORE your posts, Father, and feel it would be wonderful to see them on joey's. blog!

  • John Easton - 11 years ago

    We love your photos and postings. Please stay involved. Maybe Joey can monitor his postings a little more carefully. I would appreciate it too.

  • susan hershey - 11 years ago

    You rock, father matthew! The blog with all its skanky humor would not be the same without your stablizing influence, you gorgeous photos and your origami creations. Stay the course. The "sinners"on board need you! :)

  • Jane - 11 years ago

    Your great pleasure in the life of Gloucester is a gift to us. Please continue to offer your thoughts and images.

  • Jeanie - 11 years ago

    Father Green,you rock ! You are only responsible for what you post. Is something was really offensive,racist or homophobic etc then you might want to respond. Otherwise diversity is what makes our country great. You are also doing good in showing a priest who is a "real Person" with interests that are diverse. Keep on moving forward. Bless you!

  • Anne Parsons - 11 years ago

    Father, your photos are awesome and bring me back to my childhood at St. Ann's.Your love of Gloucester and its people is evident. Keep up the good work of bringing a diverse community together. Glad you decided to take a poll. GMG does stray from the path, but it does more to promote Gloucester than the Chamber of Commerce ever could.

  • Tina Villa - 11 years ago

    The fact that you are even on this here makes it that much more interesting, and it's already pretty interesting. Don't withdraw, whatever you do! I love your photos. Including the ones of churches inside and out. Keep it up; stay.

  • Mary Doane - 11 years ago

    I don't always agree with everything that is written, and If I stumble onto something that is offending, I just scroll right on by it. Just know that if you decide to leave, you would be missed. I especially love your photos. Through thoughts and prayers, I hope you find your answer.

  • Saint707 - 11 years ago

    Your posts add to the diversity of GMG. I like the balance of beauty, information and humor. If you withdrew, the blog would have one less contributor of beauty. Each poster is responsible and answerable for their post only. If people are offended by some of the earthy posts they have the choice to skip posts by those people. Your photographs are gorgeous and I would sure miss seeing them if you stop contributing.

  • Ed Dove - 11 years ago

    Father, you should be grateful for having this forum through which you reach a wide flock. Please continue.
    Thank you for addressing this subject since I too have wondered at the incongruity of a Priest being such a faithful contributor to an earthy blog. But your participation (and photographs) are important and interesting. Gloucester is a wonderful, welcoming, non-judgmental community. While we all may be wretches, we are also God's children. Thanks.

  • Cammygrammy - 11 years ago

    Each post is the voice of the person who posts it. I very much appreciate your contributions and would hate to have you withdraw. Your parishioners should be able to see your posts revealed your character and piety. Those of others perhaps not so much but that's not you!!

  • charlene carrier - 11 years ago

    Father, everybody knows Joey...Joey is Joey! A big kid at heart!.Continue your good and informative GMG. You,Father Matthew,along with several other contributors bring joy. Cc

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