TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, has become a popular way of explaining why progressives, who presumably want to gain and retain power, exhibit inexplicable behavior like disproportionately temperamental, negative, knee-jerk responses to actions and policies that reflect mainstream American values.
There’s an analogous infirmity afflicting the progressive wing of Catholic-identifying media in relation to Bishop Robert Barron, the head of the diocese of Winona-Rochester and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.
By any objective measure, Word on Fire is one of the most evangelically successful movements in the Catholic Church since Vatican II. Bishop Barron is among the most prominent Catholic figures on social media in the world. His weekly sermons, interviews with culturally significant figures, books, and courses reach millions across the globe. One of the most inspiring parts of my work as director of the Institute is to read the steady stream of testimonies thanking Bishop Barron and Word on Fire for leading them to, or back to, the Church.
And yet much of the old-guard Catholic commentariat ostentatiously shows displeasure for Bishop Barron and his accomplishments.
What’s their problem?
It’s an incoherent litany: Barron is too political because he went to the State of the Union on a congressman’s invitation (but why would he, or any other man of the Church, be expected to turn that historic opportunity down?). Actually, no–he’s not political enough because he doesn’t tout leftist positions on the economy, immigration, or social issues that either violate Church teaching or are a matter of prudential judgment. He’s “right-wing” even though he publicly criticizes a Republican president’s executive orders. He’s not sufficiently aligned with Pope Francis, despite frequently appealing to Francis’s theology of mercy, especially his moving characterization of the Church as a “field hospital.” He’s too theologically conservative, despite being the preeminent defender of Vatican II and its evangelical vision for the Church. And so on.
One of the most prolonged cases of Barron Derangement Syndrome within the once-influential progressive Catholic intelligentsia occupies the virtual pages of the National Catholic Reporter. Presumably, the Reporter, as a self-identified Catholic publication, would welcome the measurably positive effect Barron has had on the Church’s evangelical efficacy, both across the US and around the world. Word on Fire, for example, recently hosted a conference in the United Kingdom that drew over 1500 attendees from throughout Europe.
Instead, their editorial policy is sneering condescension, representatively crystalized in this recent headline: “Bishop Barron goes to Washington. Will it be word on fire or a smokescreen?” The editorial’s argument is as juvenile as its adjective-drunk prose: Barron–founder of a “juggernaut Catholic media organization”–is not sufficiently speaking the “tough truths of the Gospel” to power, which, from the Reporter’s worldview, are indistinguishable from boiler-plate progressive talking points.
As is so often the case with those wringing their hands about the absence of “Gospel values” in politics, it would be prudent for the Reporter to check their own eyes before broadcasting their moral superiority. The Reporter conspicuously positions itself as representing the poor and marginalized of the world, yet recently let fly this despicable headline: “While refuting JD Vance’s hillbilly theology, Pope Francis chastises US bishops.”
Hillbilly theology? Take note, poverty-stricken (dog whistle: white) inhabitants of Appalachia: The Reporter thinks you are degenerate idiots. How’s that for accompanying those on the margins?
The self-appointed guardians of normative Catholic identity also have no qualms about defying Church teachings on the nature and purpose of the human body and human sexuality.
For example, Pope Francis has unequivocally condemned gender ideology as a form of “ideological colonization” and yet the Reporter has no issue writing piously about a “transgender hermit” praying and fasting in protest of President Trump’s executive order affirming—consonant with reality-based Catholic teaching—that there are only two genders.
This flagrant hypocrisy tells us everything we need to know about how seriously to take the Reporter’s leftist political advocacy masquerading as Catholic journalism.
To the extent there is any coherence at all, the dogma underpinning these attacks on Bishop Barron is a mutant amalgamation of two archetypes of religion-gone-wrong: the performative tut-tutting and professional indignation of the self-righteous Pharisees mixed with the shameless world-worshiping accommodation of the Herodians.
The contemporary Catholic left—the Pherodians—thus isn’t upset with Bishop Barron because he’s not Catholic enough. They’re mad that he is, in fact, Catholic—a mainstream orthodox Catholic—and popular, both inside and outside the Church, because of it.
The dwindling, evangelically sterile voices of the Reporter and their ideological ilk have long operated under the assumption that they and they alone get to be the gatekeepers of culturally and politically acceptable Catholicism. But selling out the Kingdom for a few decades of institutional influence was a bad deal. Like an NGO propped up by elite self-interest rather than actual underlying needs, they’ve always been living on borrowed time.
The bill has come due and, unsurprisingly, they’ve now got nothing left to offer but insults.
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There is no such thing in my book as a “progressive Catholic.” You’re either aligned with Truth or you’re simply spouting evil. You are one way or the other. No such thing either as someone who’s lukewarm. If you are, Christ says, He will spit you out.
If Bp Barron is incurring the wrath of the heathens in the “progressive” wing of the Catholic Church, he can be confident that he’s on the right track.
Well, this article espouses nothing other than the author’s admirable esteem for the bishop; that comes as no surprise since they work in the same Institute. No news there.
As a new revert, I spent more than a few bucks buying Word on Fire stuff; it served me well for a while but soon I saw it more ‘catholic-lite.’
It’s great that the bishop’s ministry reaches a larger segment than those in one diocese. It’s great that the bishop finds something in the pope’s ministry which he can tag and hang his mitre upon. It’s marvelous that the pope invited the bishop to the Synod; how did the faithful of his diocese react to his sorry absence as their leader for some five weeks?
The bishop’s Balthasarian hope that hell is sparsely populated does not square with Scripture, and that is my conservative, orthodox, fervently faithful, traditional Catholic beef with the bishop. Did that adjective overload pack a pewny punch?
I consider progressive or liberal news, secular or religious, a waste of time. Why read it or comment upon it? Jesus forewarned us that the world would hate those who love Him, so why the outrage or surprise when the cino-progressive newsworld hates a bishop who’s mild in his rebuke of wrong? Maybe that’s it. Maybe the bishop should wake up and tone his zealous muscles or fire up the furnace of brimstone a la St. Jerome? Maybe then the Reporter would leave him alone.
“…‘catholic-lite.’…”
Huh? Really? WOF publishes Bibles, texts of Vatican II, works of Church Fathers (including Augustine and Aquinas), books on the sacraments and spirituality, etc.
Perhaps someone, looking at recent books published by WOF, can pinpoint the “lite” nature involved.
“The bishop’s Balthasarian hope that hell is sparsely populated does not square with Scripture…”
Ummm: “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth…”
Thanks for exposing the NCR for what it is…a left wing mouthpiece masquerading as a faithful Catholic voice of truth in a complex world.
The obsession with a certain sect of trads fervently believing that people are tortured for all eternity is super weird.
Just a small comment about Hell being sparsely populated, it is quite in line with Thomas Aquinas who said, quote, “…in Hell are only a few, only those who choose not to be with Christ”. Just two cents…
Well, you seem to have settled right into your “new revert” role quite nicely and sailed on through to the “big leagues” of looking down upon Bishops who seemingly aren’t as smart or devout as you. I guess you missed the whole “Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart” memo issued by Jesus. Welcome back, but leave your ego at the gate.
Anthony Stine disagrees with Bishop Robert Barron about some theological issues. He also posted this YouTube video (15 min. 06 sec.) on his Return To Tradition channel on YouTube on March 13, 2025:
Bishop Robert Barron SMEARED For Not Becoming A Partisan Shill
Walter Cronkite always signed off his CBS Evening News broadcasts with “And that’s the way it is.” Anthony Stine signs off with “As always, pray for the Church. I’m Anthony Stine, Ave Maria.”
Let’s not forget those on the right who are in the Church and oppose Bishop Barron. “He is too in line with Pope Francis” or “he isn’t tough enough on (pick your topic).
That “transgender hermit” was featured on EWTN’s “The Journey Home” some years back. She fooled the host and everyone who watched the show.
Progressives are vile at best and evil at worst. The sooner they are forced out of the church the better.
Bishop Barron and I were at Theological College at the Catholic University of America at the same time. He was thoughtful, insightful, and orthodox, then as he is now. It is distressing that he is suffering from the type of criticism The National Catholic Reporter delivers in its article that has often plagued successful clergy in other eras. Most notably, Bishop Fulton Sheen suffered the same. Why is it that some Catholics seek to denigrate priests who are so successful in their evangelical outreach? Bishop Barron deserves praise not opprobrium. May his ministry long flourish!
Agreed, Msgr. And, as for the National Catholic Reporter – there is nothing even remotely Catholic about them.
Early knowledge of Bishop Barron in his very enjoyable Ewtn lecture series on Church architecture, artistic features informed me of his solid doctrinal knowledge and spiritual appreciation of Christian art, revealing a man of intellect and faith.
If NCReporter finds him in opposition to their views that’s a major plus insofar as his actual orthodox impression, unlike criticisms some Catholic commenters contend. What’s likely misunderstood by conservative Catholics is his perspective regarding defense of the faith during this unique moment.
His approach appears to be that of harmony, disagreeing indirectly with Pope Francis on key issues by being outspoken on the necessity of tradition and the danger of accommodation, pointing out the best in Francis’ vision of mercy while upholding a more Thomistic approach. Not an easy feat. Evidence of his efforts is the success in drawing many to the faith with a message of doctrinal integrity, and enthusiasm.
Bishop Barron bravely evangelizes the left in way that does not pander to them but also does not inflame them. As Bishop of LA, I can only imagine the fortitude and other virtues required in order to minister to that demographic of the Church. I saw a video of him going to Google to give a talk on St. Thomas Aquinas more or less. Brave man and kudos to him.
At first when I started listening to him back in the day, I thought he was a bit full of himself, but on closer inspection he is the real deal and quite orthodox and humble.
Most people think “progressive” means constructive, enlightened, seeking to improve things.
I refuse to use the “progressive” label for outfits like the Reporter.