Out of the Classroom and Into the Studio

Christopher M. Bellitto

As a church historian with a background in journalism, I find myself called upon to be a resource by media people: to answer questions, to appear on radio or TV, or just to fill in their blanks. While I think this is a worthy effort, it’s one fraught with issues: the chance to be misquoted or to say something stupid, for instance. I like to think, however, that church historians have a service to provide to the media. We can educate them as to the background and complexities of sophisticated topics making their way into the news. I submit that when we speak with reporters, we approach the task as well-informed teachers and not talking heads or scholars giving academic papers.

As an example, I’m asked often whether mandatory celibacy will ever change. I explain that there are some things that are called “discipline: how we do things” and others that are called “doctrine: what we do and believe.” The first can change; the second can’t. We used to have Mass only in Latin and that falls into discipline; now we have Mass in many languages. But believing that Jesus is really and truly present at the Mass, be it in Latin or German, that’s not going to change. Then, once explained and I’m sure the reporter understands, then and only then will I give them the sound bite.

Christopher M. Bellitto is Associate Professor of History at Kean University. His many books include: 101 Answers on Popes and the Papacy; Church History 101: A Concise Overview; Ten Ways the Church has Changed; The General Councils: A History of the Twenty-One Church Councils from Nicaea to Vatican II; Renewing Christianity: A History of Church Reform from Day One to Vatican II. He is a regular commentator on church history and current events on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, the History Channel and in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Christian Science Monitor.