The short lived life of a publication that opened no doors

On August 8 the following

appeared in Occasional Scribbles: "This blog has heard from a reliable source that the free-sheet, The Key, a publication of the Irish Dominican Friars is ceasing publication after its next edition.

"This blog has learned the reason for this decision is due to lack of donations. The source said it depends completely on voluntary donations and that they have not been forthcoming."

And now it has come to pass. In the current winter edition there is a notice simply stating: 'This is the final edition of The Key'.

Right through the current edition of the free-sheet not a word of explanation why. This is not acceptable. Who is answerable for this fiasco? Was there an editorial board, was there an editor? If so, who were they? Who financed the project, and how much money was lost on the publication? 

The following two sentences appear in the current edition: 'Through disciplined reflection on reality, reason arrives at the necessary conclusion that creation possesses a First Principle and First Cause. This primary reality is God, the Creator who stands as the ultimate answer to human questioning.'

The article is written by Dr Robert McNamara, it  takes up six pages of The Key.

Who is the target reader. I doubt it's a scholarly journal, so who is expected to read this. What actually do all the sentences mean? Twenty three pages of sentences with some photographs, many of the same person. Surely there is more to the Dominican Order than talking about ordinations.

I suggest all those responsible for The Key visit any school in Ireland, and ask students and teachers to read this free sheet. And then watch their faces and ask for comment.

Everything about it is appalling, the writing is turgid, attempting to sound 'holy' and knowledgeable. And the layout would win a prize for poor quality. The first thing one learns in journalism school, never publish a picture without naming the people included. Every sub editor knows after reading the first paragraph, whether or not it's worth continuing to read. The Key may well appear on the shelves of journalism schools as an example of what not to do.

The Catholic Church in Ireland is a registered charity and it's time it realised its responsibility in how it manages its affairs.

It's profoundly sad to write these words but it is another example of how the institutional church refuses to learn from its mistakes and less than professional behaviour.