No..not, the move, not the canonical conterversies, but something close to my heart here –
Communication.
For several years now, I have been increasingly impressed with the St. Louis Archdiocese’s use of modern tools for communication. Of course, the Archdiocesan paper, the St. Louis Review (once edited by now-KCMO Bishop Finn) has long set a high standard, and their approach to the Internet has matched their previous excellence in print.

As you know, there have been several controversies involving the Archdiocese over the past few years – the St. Stanislaus business, this women’s ordination business, the Sheryl-Crowe-at-the-fundraiser business, as well as a few others – as well as the huge battle over the embryonic-stem-cell research referendum.
At every turn, the Archdiocese web team -whoever they are – are on the spot, immediately putting up full statements, Q & A’s and video within hours of stories breaking. In addition, it is my impression that Archbishop Burke himself has been relatively accessible to the local media, an openness helpfully matched by the excellent religion reporting of Tim Townsend at the Dispatch.
Other dioceses would do well to sit up, take notice and take notes. This is how it’s done people, because here’s the deal:
You cannot complain about the secular media’s treatment of the Church and Church issues if Church authorities are not accessible, clear and proactive when it comes to talking about those issues. When Church authorities hide behind spokespeople or simply hide, or diocesan staff don’t develop relationships with media that indicate an open door for asking questions and getting clarifications…you just can’t complain.
You also cannot complain about your Catholic people not understanding these issues or not being catechized if you don’t make the attempt to teach and communicate in the venues in which people are listening and reaching them with the information in the places where they’re seeking information.