Blog Plug-eChurch Blog

This week is the third anniversary of the launch of Stuart's eChurch Blog. That's why I've decided to make Stuart's blog the first of what will be a regular feature, my very own Blog Plug featuring other blogs that I read and enjoy.

Stuart's blog description carries the following quote from Acts: "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth". He proudly blogs as " a Christian with a penchant for blogging current events through the prism of faith". Stuart is on the journey to join the rest of us in the Roman Catholic Church and his blog often challenges in a refreshing, lively but authoritative way.

I first met Stuart in Wetminster Cathedral last year before the first ever gathering of the Guild of Catholic Bloggers (Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma). Below is Stuart's post from yesterday about his three years blogging:

eChurch Blog Third Blogiversary


It’s hard to believe that I started this blog three years ago on 4th April 2009.

This blog has changed dramatically since its inception, due to the fact that I’ve changed.

From hard-core Evangelical beginnings, I now find myself on the road to Rome, which along with Dale Aquist, I view as a glorious defeat.

As an Evangelical Protestant I used to hold to a Catholic conspiracy theory; now I realise that many Catholics on the Internet hold to a Catholic conspiracy theory, but that’s a story, for another time.

Some time ago I stopped classifying myself as a ‘Christian Blogger’ and changed to a ‘blogger who happens to be Christian’. I feel far more comfortable with this definition for obvious reasons.

Traffic remains steady and very healthy for a niche blog such as this one; although, conversation has been fairly quiet in recent months. Like everything this tends to boom and slump.

The fact that traffic has remained steady has pleased me, as I post far less nowadays, but do try to infuse more thought and opinion and what have you.

I’d like at this point to particularly thank Goy and Tim for always making such valued contributions and sending me links. And special thanks go to Simian, who has been commenting since the very beginning, when this blog was black in colour and in mood.

And of course thanks to everybody else that’s contributed.

In terms of thanking other bloggers, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I currently have 567 blogs in my feeds. But you know who you are and the part you’ve played in the changes I’ve undergone due to your posts.

I will admit that over the last few weeks I’ve been again going through one of those phases in which it’s rather hard to blog, as everything appears a little dull and repetitive. Same old arguments and battles; different day.

I’m never quite sure if everything is objectively boring, or if it’s more reflective of my state of mind. I suspect the latter, and we’ve been here before, when I wrote a boring blog post about being bored.

But I’m sure this will pass, as it has done so in days gone by.

Thank you so much for reading this blog.

Anti-Catholic Nutjob Alert

I received a comment today from somebody using the pseudonym 'Scout'. It seemed innocuous enough, if a little terse and was about the chap who has just been demoted for his Christian beliefs. So I posted it.

Then I looked at his blog and immediately sent his comment to the bin. He seems to have an unhealthy obsession with Catholics and his blog is dedicated to his obsession. Tell you what Scout, just provide the world with a list of Catholic bloggers, then people can read and make their own minds up whether we are mad or not. On the other hand, placed alongside your fruitcake ramblings, the most bizarre blogger would look highly rational.

Now I believe in free speech and am very dubious about any form of censorship, but I do draw the line at nutjobs using my blog to promote their lunacy. That is why I binned his comment.

There is a much more considered post about 'Scout' than this on That The Bones You Have Crushed May Thrill where the valid point is made that if 'Scout' wrote a similar blog about Muslims, he would be accused of Islamophobia.

It seems that he is trawling the blogosphere looking for Catholic blogs to get angry about, a strange pastime. 'Bones' has been hit as, it seems has Smeaton's Corner and Catholic and Loving It! I feel quite humbled and unworthy to be in the trenches alongside such tremendous Catholic bloggers as those three.

If you would like to make up your own mind about Catholic bloggers I recommend the Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma, where there are some of the finest Catholic blogs and bloggers you'll find .

Guild of Catholic Bloggers

On May 7th I was privileged to join a group of Catholic bloggers at Westminster Cathedral. The purpose was to launch The Guild of Catholic Bloggers. One of the key decisions was to launch an umbrella blog and thus The Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma was born.

The knowledge and depth of faith of those present was the most impressive part of the day. I have been a practising Catholic most of my life but in the last couple of years I have been on a journey of discovery. Like many of us I have attended Mass, prayed when in need and that has been about it. But, partly due to persistent attacks on Christianity by militant atheists, I have not only felt the need to stand up and be counted, but also to look deeper into my faith. The Guild of Titus Brandsma will be an excellent support and resource for Catholics, and those wanting to find out about Catholicism everywhere.

I don't call myself a Catholic blogger, I am a Catholic who blogs. This is not a Catholic blog although it is influenced by my Catholicism. If you are curious about the Roman Catholic church and want to find out more I suggest that you, like me, take a look at some of the blogs in my side bar under the heading Catholic Blogs I Like To Visit.

Many thanks to Lawrence of That The Bones You Have Crushed May Thrill for his hard work on developing the blog. Long may it prosper.

Guild of Catholic Bloggers

Shamelessly lifted from Fr Sam's blog (link below).

Yesterday was the day that the Catholic bloggers gathered in Westminster, and a great day it was too.

If you take a few minutes you will see that this blog is a blog written by a Catholic, and increasingly influenced by my faith. Most people present yesterday write what I would describe as Catholic blogs. I find these blogs inspirational as well as informative and they are a great source for any Catholic, especially someoneone increasingly looking deeper into, and exploring the reality of his faith. But equally importantly they are a wonderful source for people wanting to find the truth about Roman Catholicism rather than depending on the jaundiced, often downright hostile ramblings in the mainstream media. They are written by real people living their faith, and it was a privelege to spend time with them and to actually meet after communicating through the blogosphere for some time in most cases.

So after arrriving in London I was in time to attend the 12-30 Mass at Westminster Cathedral and to light a candle at the shrine to Blessed Pope John Paul II. An inveterate people watcher I spotted several people also in attendance who were later at the bloggers' gathering. Unfortunately my train didn't arrive early enough for me to be at the 10-30 Latin Mass, which at least one other was able to get to.

A Reluctant Sinner did a tremendous job organising the room and preparing an agenda, this on top of travelling to Rome earlier in the week for the gathering there of bloggers from all over the world, many thanks for that. However if you put a group of bloggers together in a room chairing the meeting is a little like herding cats, and the conversation meandered. But I thought the day was all the better for that and it proved incredibly informative and enjoyable not to say uplifting.

In the end we agreed on developing an umbrella blog to which  'members' will contribute as well as linking to their own blogs. I say 'members' because it looks like developing in a much more informal way than a traditional membership organisation with absolutely minimal organisational structure. Our primary role will be as a way of promoting the work of the Church and as a resource for each other and Catholic bloggers generally, whether they attend our occasional real life gatherings or prefer to communicate via the 'blogosphere'.

So a fruitful day was had by all and I'm sure all present would agree with that. But there are already two further blog posts on yesterday's event on other blogs. And here they are:

Medley Minute with Father Sam 

A Reluctant Sinner

I'm sure that more will follow and I will happily update as people blog their take on yesterday's events.

Guild of Catholic Bloggers

The following post is taken from the blog A Reluctant Sinner. I'm looking forward to being there on May 7th and I'm sure there will be a good attendance to launch an exciting project.

From all the responses and emails I've now received in connection with Monday's post (A Guild of Catholic Bloggers - what do you think?), it seems that the launching of a Guild of Catholic Bloggers might actually be a realistic possibility! There appears to be a need for some sort of mutual aid society for those Catholics (including Anglo-Catholics) who use the new media to converse with the world.


Catholic bloggers are now leading the way when it comes to on-line evangelisation, promotion of the faith and apologetics - so it is probably important for us to be able to meet other bloggers in person, discuss ideas over meals or at workshops, and worship together every now and again. It would also be good for us to be inspired by spiritual conferences, invite priests or bishops to address us, and encourage one another face-to-face (blogging, after all, can be a lonely affair!)


Seeing that many of you have offered to help set up a Guild of Catholic Bloggers, I have now booked a place in central London for the purpose of holding an informal meeting with the view of electing temporary officers and drawing up a constitution. So, if any of you are free on Saturday 7 May from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, you would be most welcome to join me at the Hinsley Room next to Westminster Cathedral. As some of you know, the Hinsley Room is a stand-alone building behind St Paul's Bookshop and St Vincent's School - on Morpeth Terrace. I will be there from 1:00pm, and you will be able to bring sandwiches / packed-lunches with you - the tea and coffee will be on me!


It would be great if as many Catholic bloggers, twitterers, Facebookers, and friends / blog followers were able to attend this meeting, so that plans for any potential Guild of Catholic Bloggers may be drawn up. From my previous post, you will have noticed that some very useful suggestions have already been proposed. On Saturday 7 May, it might be possible to gather these ideas into a comprehensive constitution - no more than a page! It is hoped that we might also be able to elect a temporary chairman, secretary and treasurer - to deal with the day-to-day practicalities of launching such a lay association. (I am hopeless at such things - so am looking for volunteers!).


Some of the things that will need discussing include: -
1. Membership (cost, conditions, etc)
2. Officers (terms, functions, etc)
3. Purpose and aims (to strengthen the faith and aid the spirituality of Catholic bloggers)
4. Events (Work-shops, retreats, pilgrimages, etc)
5. AGM and Annual Mass, etc
I am sure that there will be more items on the day's agenda, once other bloggers have thought of things to add!


So, if you happen to be in central London, or are able to come to Westminster Cathedral, on Saturday 7 May, then please let me know - either in the Comments section or by email (below)! Also, please do pass this on to other bloggers and twitterers (twitterati?). The more, the merrier!


PS - Those able to get to the Cathedral early might wish to attend the 10:30am or 12:30pm Masses before the meeting.