Regarding the 'Little Pebble'
by Fr. Malcolm L. Broussard, Jr.
"Certainly your profession subjects you to a great measure of accountability – accountability to God, to the community and before the witness of history. And yet at times it seems that everything is left in your hands. Precisely because your responsibility is so great and your accountability to the community is not easily rendered juridically, society relies so much on your good will. In a sense the world is at your mercy. Errors in judgment, mistakes in evaluating the propriety and justice of what is transmitted, and wrong criteria in art can offend and wound consciences and human dignity. They can encroach on sacred fundamental rights. The confidence that the community has in you honours you deeply and challenges you mightily" (Address of John Paul II, September 15, 1987, Los Angeles to 1,600 policy makers in television, radio, motion pictures and the print media).Over the last two decades there has been a concerted Media attack upon the credibility of Mr. William Kamm also known as the Little Pebble. The Media -- in various forms have been the cause of much false information and outright rash judgment based upon their suspicions of one kind and another. These judgments have been put into articles in Newspapers and on TV. Various journalist -- and especially their editors-in-charge -- have repeatedly attempted to identify Mr. Kamm as a "cult leader" and to defame his good-name through unethical journalism. Through the world-wide presentation of various stereotyped verbal, written and TV terminology, like -- "sect", "cult", "doomsday" a false, misleading and terribly unjust labelling has occurred. The terminology has even gone so far as to allege a similarity and/or link with such persons and fringe groups as: "Jim Jones", "Waco" -- and now the latest label -- the "Massacres in Uganda" of recent weeks!! The terminology is carefully engineered by the editors-in-charge. This is very unjust and unprofessional. It violates the general code of ethics for journalist in two major elements. One respected organisation in Australia has identified a code of ethics for journalist. This code identifies 10 points. I would like to highlight two of these:
How have the Media perpetrated these clear violations of natural justice? This has been done through what might be called "verbal engineering". It is the science of word manipulation for the purpose of engineering public opinion. When applied to the Little Pebble, it has for its purpose to undermine his personal dignity -- through defamation; his religious faith -- through scepticism; and the religious Order he founded -- through a misguided appeal to obedience to the Hierarchy. A corollary reason is also that he seems to be different than the mainstream status quo because the Messages from Heaven challenge the faithful to be guided and instructed by the Mother of God. From the ecclesiastical point of view -- the discernment of the Messages and charism of the Little Pebble never gain a hearing because of the defects of natural justice which shut out Mr. Kamm from his personal witness with probative evidence and corroborative testimony. To date, the Commission has not called Mr. Kamm to the Tribunal!
The real tragedy lies in the fact that the competent ecclesiastical authority does nothing to uphold the dignity and rights of Mr. Kamm -- rather he has become to "whipping boy" of the Media!! The ecclesiastical authorities just let it all happen and watch from the sidelines!! Those journalist and editors-in-charge in high profile positions of influence -- who want to discredit something they do not like -- simply resort to redefining it in terminology that has very strong negative connotations in the minds of the general public. Thus, the labels like -- "sect" and "cult" along with words like "doomsday", "dangerous", "guru", "charlatan" are designed to identify the Little Pebble and the Order of Saint Charbel with this negative "bad man" image who is supposed to be dangerous to the Community!! This sort of "marketing" is used everyday to advertise various goods and services on TV commercials. Of course, the purpose of such "verbal engineering" by the Media is to generate public opinion in this direction -- thus a kind of "social engineering" -- against the Little Pebble and his Mission in the Catholic Church.
Through the years, these same expressions -- "sect", "cult", "doomsday" -- have been repeated over and over again -- with impunity. Unless, you have lots of money to sustain a law suit -- there is no accountability for the Media in general. The Media giants step on the rights of the "little man" who cannot defend himself against such accusation of "guilt by association".
The Catholic identity of Mr. Kamm is unquestionable and an essential ingredient to the understanding of his Mission from God. Otherwise his Mission is meaningless to the Church and would make no sense to the members of the Order of Saint Charbel. The only competent judge over the Little Pebble is the Magisterium of the Catholic Church according to the provisions of Canon Law. God is not divided nor is God incapable of making His Will known to the Church and world regarding the Little Pebble -- His prophet. Time will prove where there is wisdom and many will be ashamed.
Such unethical journalism should never be allowed to exist! Again, where are all of the great advocates of truth, justice and law today? Where is the accountability in law? Who is competent to judge the Little Pebble? The answer to these questions are obvious to those who know even a little about the subject.
One of the most important facts that is never mentioned is -- the Bishop of Wollongong -- Bishop Philip Wilson has never called us a "cult" or "sect". This is a very important fact that should never be missed. The Bishop alone has jurisdiction over the Little Pebble within his Diocese. The ecclesiastical commission set up in September 1998 is still ongoing and has not labelled the Little Pebble with such terminology. To do so would be a grave miscarriage of justice, as it goes against everything that Mr. Kamm stands for. Furthermore, it would be a waste of Diocesan money to setup a Commission to investigate a "cult"!! The Catholic Dioceses do not investigate cults. It is precisely because the Little Pebble as a Catholic has rights and privileges in Canon Law which protect his right to vindicate his name and to defend his claims. Even the previous Bishop William Murray never labelled Mr. Kamm as a "cult" leader. The consequences for such a judgment would in itself involve a lawsuit and would be appealed to the higher Tribunal in the Vatican. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In various Media presentations, the journalist interviewed so-called "experts" in cult-awareness. These persons were presented on TV and in the print media as "experts" and the general public were meant to assume that they are actually "experts" just because the editors-in-charge presented them this way. This really demonstrates how pathetic their agenda really is. What credentials establish them as "experts" on the Little Pebble? One person, in New South Wales, who has a website devoted to "exposing" the Little Pebble as a "cult" leader has appeared on TV. He has been interviewed by various journalist as an "expert" in cult awareness and on the Little Pebble. This person has no professional credentials to credit such a title. He has never met the Little Pebble nor has he ever been to the property of our Community. Yet, the Media have placed him in the spotlight through the interviews which are setup to reinforce the preset theme of "sect", "cult", "doomsday". This is an excellent example of the distortion of information. The relevant facts have been suppressed while other hearsay, rumour and gossip have been given credit as truth. Other elements are distorted by a wrong or improper emphasis. These "experts" are remarkably deficient in their knowledge of the Catholic Church and natural justice.
Needless to say, the repair for harm done through inaccurate reporting requires public correction. Mr. Kamm has received legal counsel that he has a case for defamation, but he cannot proceed because of the extreme financial burden that would be required up front. He really needs good legal advocacy, but we must continue to pray for this intention, so that God will inspire those Solicitors and Barristers who can stand strong in principle and conviction that the "little man" deserves a fair go against such abuse of power by the Media giants.
On many occasions, these journalist show their ignorance and lack of research into fundamental concepts of Catholic Teachings that are intimately bound up with the Mission of the Little Pebble. Many times, the questions posed to the Little Pebble are ridiculous and show a great lack of comprehension of the Catholic Church's Teachings -- not to mention the Sacred Scriptures. A good example of this point is -- the nature and purpose of "prophecy" in the Teachings of the Catholic Church. These journalist often make an artificial equation with secular "predictions" of future events from sources which bear no resemblance with the Messages of the Mother of God. Those journalist who have done more of their homework, refer to previous prophecies given through the Little Pebble -- and then assume that because these did not seem to be fulfilled -- ie., the so called "predictions" do not come to pass -- as they understand this -- then this is supposed to indicate the error and the human origin of the "prediction". This is such a simplistic approach to this nuanced theological subject (especially regarding the contingency of future events related to the prophetic word), that these journalist are simply out of their league and do not even know what they are talking about.
The Little Pebble is constantly faced with re-inventing the wheel -- of reminding these journalist of the Teachings of the Catholic Church. Yet, these journalist are not interested in the completeness of the picture and the unity with the Deposit of Faith professed by Catholics around the world -- including the Little Pebble -- they simply feel they have a "cult", "sect", "doomsday" storyline to present and have to setup the cameras and subject matter according to this preconceived editorial direction -- by Producers who have an "agenda" to accomplish!
Many journalist are so misinformed -- they do not even know of the most important Apparitions in the last 200 years -- like at Lourdes, and Fatima! Many do not understand what a "seer" is in the Catholic concept. Many do not even know the fundamental Teachings of Christianity. Not long ago, one journalist came to interview Mr. Kamm and in the course of the conversation, this journalist did not know who was the Pope of the Catholic Church! Yet, he was proposing very nuanced theological questions which require some precision -- (prophecy, messages, Sacred Scripture, signs of the times, papal teaching, Bishop's statements, etc.) yet, without even understanding the basic concept of doctrine and natural justice -- not to mention the fundamental rights of Catholics to the protection of Canon Law.
At times it does seem that everything is left in the hands of the untouchable Media giants. It would seem that they are their own law unto themselves. Journalist should respect their own dignity. Pope John Paul II gives a true perspective for all journalist to meditate upon:
"Daily cares oppress you in ways different from those arising in other kinds of work. Your industry reflects the fast pace of the news and changing tastes. It deals with vast amounts of money that bring with them their own problems. It places you under extreme pressure to be successful, without telling you what "success" really is. Working constantly with images, you face the temptation of seeing them as reality. Seeking to satisfy the dreams of millions, you can become lost in a world of fantasy.
"At this point, you must cultivate the integrity consonant with your own human dignity. You are more important than success, more valuable than any budget. Do not let your work drive you blindly; for if work enslaves you, you will soon enslave your art. Who you are and what you do are too important for that to happen. Do not let money be your sole concern, for it too is capable of enslaving art as well as souls. In your life there must also be room for your families and for leisure. You need time to rest and be re-created, for only in quiet can you absorb the peace of God.
"You yourselves are called to what is noble and lofty in human living, and you must study the highest expressions of the human spirit. You have a great part in shaping the culture of this nation and other nations. To you is entrusted an important portion of the vast heritage of the human race. In fulfilling your mission you must always be aware of how your activities affect the world community, how they serve the cause of universal solidarity" (Address of John Paul II, September 15, 1987, Los Angeles to 1,600 policy makers in television, radio, motion pictures and the print media).In summary, the Little Pebble has never been allowed to have a fair presentation of his cause in the Media. He has always known that he would be treated this way. However, over all these years, he has always consented to be interviewed by the Media in order to show that we have nothing to hide and that we are law-abiding citizens. The TV editors-in-charge have always seen fit to edit out the more cogent replies (of the Little Pebble) to the questions of journalist -- in order to keep the preconceived "theme" established by the editor -- thus a very biased and faulty presentation goes to air with all of the stereotyped words with their negative connotations and associations flying around everywhere! The public are "engineered" to perceive the "news about the Little Pebble" in a false light. There is seemingly no end to this -- because we have no heroes today for the "little man".
Finally, I would like to close my letter. His Holiness refers to your "immense spiritual power" as stewards and administrators of the human word. Your work is meant to enrich the lives of your readers and viewers with a truthful and balanced report which challenges your conscience and requires generosity, service and love. A good motto for journalist seeking to understand seers and private revelations might be: "The knowledge of what is true is given by the fervour of love" (Pope Leo XIII, Aeterni Patris). I hope that this letter serves in part for your continuing formation in the high ideals and demands of truth. May God Bless you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Malcolm L. Broussard, Jr.
