CNS fires editor in chief following anti-religious freedom tweets

The Catholic News Service has asked for the resignation of their Editor in Chief over concerns that his personal agenda has placed him at odds with his ability to lead the service. Tony Spence resigned last week over concerns that his social media posts contradicted Church doctrine and unduly criticized Pope Francis.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Tony Spence has been Editor in Chief of the Catholic News Service (CNS) since 2004. The CNS is the official newspaper of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The paper asked for his resignation after observing a disturbing pattern of social media comments.

Spence posted the following:

"Religious liberty has replaced gay marriage in GOP talking points, fooling no one."

"LGBT protections get flushed..."

"Stupid evidently contagious, Tennessee tries to join MS, NC, IN in passing pro-discrimination laws."

And many more similar tweets and comments. He also made these remarks while identifying himself as the Editor in Chief of CNS on his Linked In social media account.

The problem with these remarks is they diverge with Church understanding on these issues. They also mischaracterize these laws as discrimination when the opposite is true. The laws are intended to protect religious freedom, a right enshrined in the Constitution.

Later, Spence criticized Pope Francis, and this seem to be the final straw for the Secretary General Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield. According to Spence, he was escorted out of the building following his meeting with the Secretary General.

Spence explained, "The Secretary General asked for my resignation because the Conference  had lost confidence in my ability to lead CNS."

Many religious people, including Catholics, have been concerned about the moral path of the country, particularly when it comes to issues of marriage, respect to life, and religious freedom.

The recent spate of laws are intended to protect people with sincerely held religious beliefs from participating in activities they equate with mortal sin. Nobody would force a Muslim to eat pork, or an Orthodox Jew to break his Sabbath? Why then, would anyone seek to force a Christian to participate in a mortal sin?

Laws that protect the conscience of the individual are not "discriminatory." The Church understands this, but Spence did not seem to grasp it. As a result, he is no longer in his position at CNS.

Catholic media must be devoted to telling the truth. If the editor of a Catholic paper cannot properly grasp the truth of a matter so fundamental as religious freedom, then the credibility of that publication could be endangered. CNS has made the right move to protect its credibility.

Prayers for both our bishops, CNS, and Tony Spence are warranted. May we all grow in faith, love, and understanding.

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