AmericanPapist Comments
I don't think its that big of a deal. We all do things in our spare time and he co-wrote it, so I'm guessing the good people of Newark aren't suffering because of this.
This is sort of strange, because I (somehow) got a hard copy of this at least six months ago. At least - maybe longer. Anyway, I didn't read it (cause I have no interest), but my daughter (just turned 17) did, and she really liked it and specifically commmented on the way faith/religion was handled. Strikes me there's a bit of evangelization/catechesis that takes place - since I've not read it, I don't know what, but I'm just reporting on my daughter's reaction.
Speaking as both a Catholic and science fiction fan, I can say it was good book. Great little adventure story. Good, serious literature? No. But, it was a good adventure. Is this how an archbishop should be spending his time? Probably not, but on the list of things that bishops have done through the history of the Church, writing a science fiction adventure novel is fairly benign in my opinion.
Eh, I doubt he was writing this thing during business hours. Some people bowl in their spare time, some people read, he just happens to write Space Pirate novels. :D
It was released awhile ago. I reviewed it back in June, but it was released in March.
http://www.splendoroftruth.com/c...e-vulture-
a.php
With a blurb by Gene Wolfe? That's a good endorsement!
I guess I'm the only one (besides Diogenes) who is bothered. I think it's a timing thing. It would have been charming in 1999, maybe. But post pedophile scandal and in the middle of an election where 50% of American Catholics are voting for a man who voted for infanticide... I am really not amused by an archbishop in a space helmet promoting his science fiction novel.
Maybe I'd like it more if he were using his antennae to beam a message to Nancy Pelosi?
Well, let's hope that any inference to religion is faithful to the teachings of the Church.
Considering that Archbishop Myers has done much good work in Newark, with constant evangelization and catechesis, I say he has every right to pursue a hobby.
The Pope plays piano, many priests golf and cook--so what if His Grace likes to get together with friends and reminisce about the good ol' days of pulp fiction? Kudos to him - most of us will never realize our dream of being in print.
I'm with the "no big deal" folks. The archbishop has a hobby that doesn't seem to be interfering with his duties. What's the harm? It can't be that big of a surprise that priests have other interests.
Really, when is the timing ever right for a fun diversion? Serious issues are always piled in our inbox screaming, "There's no time for levity! One has to make time for fun, which is a clue in my estimation to its importance.
1.) The book was released a while ago. I've read and enjoyed it.
2.) Even to ask the question, "Is this what an archbishop should be spending his time on?" is absurd. Last I checked, bishops were allowed recreation, too. And to use that time to write an edifying adventure story with strong moral themes with a childhood friend seems to be okay by any reasonable standard.
Since no one in the comment thread has quite hit on this point yet, I would add that what I see problematic here is not that the Abp. has chosen to use his free time to write a sci-fi novel - clearly he may do so - but that he has signed himself "Archbishop" to the book, and is doing essentially a "media tour" for it.
If he wants to spend his free time writing - great. But maybe use a pen name and not play dress up for the photo shoot?
Does it carry an imprimatur?
I think the photo shoot is goofy and undignified, and more to the point, unnecessary. When was the last time a sci-fi writer donned trite 1950s-era props for writing sci-fi? Really, a bad move. He wanted to be a good sport, but Isaac Asmiov never had to put up with this. L. Ron Hubbard didn't either, and he was a brilliant marketer so he probably realized it would not have been in his self-interest. In fact, I can't remember Gene Roddenberry putting on Spock ears, or George Lucas a Yoda mask, let alone archaic space props that have nothing to do with their stories.
And he really should have just used his name, not his title. This isn't a pastoral book, after all.
Not only do I think that Archbishops should pursue their hobbies, but I think Archbishop Myers has every right to publicize this book in the way he has. I think this photo shoot is in line with the priesthood post JPII. Doesn't the Pope to this day put on goofy hats from time to time? Who knows some sci-fi geek might become less intimidated of the Church hierarchy or even give the Church another look and if so, if only one person does so, this whole endeavor is completely worth it. Many bishops have used their sporting allegiances to endear themselves to their local flock. I say good for them, as long as this is not their only form of endearment and it is done in an authentic way! This is good for Archbishop Myers and good for the Church!
I guess when a bishop is strongly orthodox we really have to stretch to find ways of criticizing him instead of leaving well-enough alone.
My guess is that St. Philip Neri wouldn't have had a problem with a little fun like this.
CS Lewis said that the best Christian writing would not come from a bishop trying to be a playwright--but this looks like the best exception, as well as good clean fun! Whoever said that only atheists *cough--Isaac Asimov--cough, cough** could write good science fiction, esp the Space Opera kind? As for the Prince of Space, yes I've seen the films and they are properly cheesey, he'd definitely throw in his lot with this swashbuckling clergyman!
My two cents: I like the Glen Orbik cover art.
Fun is one thing. I agree with the comments on fun. Why, then, didn't the photographer get pictures of him that are sci-fi fun, but dignified? The photographer has played on the archbishop's wanting to be a good sport and show people that he has a fun side to make him look like an ass. He might have put donkey ears on him.
I'll give you an example. Years ago, Envoy magazine did a spoof of an ad for the movie Men in Black. They had two priests (one I think was Fr. Fessio), in clerics and collars, with dark glasses on, and holding high-tech weapons like in the movie. That was fun, and it was cool, and it was dignified insofar as fun can be dignified. "MIB: Ridding the planet of the scum of the universe."
But the Martian antennae and the Planet of the Amazon Women helmet do not fall into that same category.
The Sci Fi Catholic already has a review, available here.
Like Chesterton said, the only man who has a true sense of humor is the man who can laugh at himself. I think it's great that an archbishop would enjoy writing and hopefully it is a book that will engage children in some wholesome reading. Diogenes is entirely too crabby sometimes.
I'm in the "good for the Archbishop" crowd.
The photographer Missed Out. I mean, geez, archbishops get to wear skullcaps and long, flowing capes!
That's space opera wear, my children. Get a Knight of Columbus and a hovercar, and you're set.
For once, I part company with the Big D. This is not some lame attempt by a cleric to look chic and trendy- aka please their new unseen secular masters. This is a legit use of time by a multi-talented shepherd who, I understand, has made a practice of spending quality time before the Blessed Sacrament. Great work by a bishop who takes his vocation, not himself, very seriously.
Uncle Diogenese seems more to be taking aim at the way the book was promoted with these photos, rather than that he wrote a fun little book in his recreation time...
I have to say, it WOULD be nice if AmChurch had a new Cardinal O'Conner who could be counted on to make it into the news once a week or so - often in stories accompanied by photos of the good Cardinal in his cassock - speaking to an issue of our time.
In the mean time - not to knock writing space novels, wish I had the skill! - most bishops seem to be noted for something of infamy or something whimsical. Space helmets blessedly fall in the latter.
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