The Priest vs. The Blogger: A Case in Canadian Conflict

Catholic World Report ^ | 3/17/15 | Dorothy Cummings McLean

[marshmallow]

A four-year-long battle of accusatory e-mails between blogger David Domet and Fr. Thomas Rosica appears to be settled—for now.

Over the past several weeks, a curious saga of Priest vs. Blogger has been playing out here in Canada, marked by strong words, assorted accusations, and alleged threats of legal action. This has been accompanied by a steady stream of side-taking and commentary, itself often heated and contentious, indicating deep divisions within the Church in Canada—divisions that have been a source of intense frustration, as revealed in this most recent conflict.

In a March 4th post Basilian Fr. Thomas Rosica, CEO of Canada's Salt and Light Media Foundation and Television Network, denied that he had ever intended to sue a blogger. That message appeared online thirteen days after the blogger, Toronto church musician David Domet, received a letter from Rosica's lawyer at Fogler, Rubinoff, Barristers and Solicitors.

The February 17 communication stated that unless Domet removed all mention of Fr. Rosica from his blog Vox Cantoris and posted an apology by February 22, the firm would seek instructions to commence an action against him. Nevertheless it warned Domet: “We reserve the right to commence litigation against you regardless of any apology or retraction, but assure you that in absence of apology or retraction, the damages claimed will be significantly higher.”

In response, Domet published the letter on his blog, retained counsel, and contacted some friends, one of whom contacted Michael Voris of Church Militant TV.

When Voris, known for his sometimes harsh and wide-ranging criticisms of bishops, reported the story on his show The Vortex the next day, Domet became a cause célèbre among traditionalist Catholics. Dozens of Catholic bloggers published posts sympathetic to Domet and linked to his blog, expanding his readership from fewer than 500 to tens of thousands.