Regular readers here know you can’t believe everything you read in the newspapers. So when I tell you that yesterday’s Boston Men’s Conference was excellent you should weigh that against what you’ll read in the Boston Herald. But more about that later.
It was great to meet so many of you in person, especially those who never post comments. It’s good to get your feedback. I think next year I’ll try to get an exhibitor booth for Catholic World Report, which also make it easier for people to stop by and say hello.
The final attendance figures were 3,300 women Friday night and 5,200 men on Saturday. Pretty impressive to see 8,500 people total.
All of the speakers were excellent, but the best were Fr. John Corapi and Sean Forrest. Scott Hahn was great as always, but I’d heard the talks before. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa was good, but his soft voice and Italian accent echoing in the giant room made him difficult to understand. There was no mistaking Corapi’s voice though. With a drill instructor baritone, he spoke of the spiritual combat we are engaged. He pulled no punches on homosexuality and gay marriage, on contraception, on men failing to be good role models for their kids, on politicians who claim to be Catholic, on Catholic men—laity, priests, and bishops—lacking spine. At the mention of “Catholic” politicians, he got an extended standing ovation. I leaned over to my brother and said that I hoped Archbishop O’Malley was there to see that. He needs to see that if only he will be strong and bold and brave, there are thousands of Catholics who will stand up behind him and follow him into battle.
The Herald’s biased take
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